Arts & Culture in the Iowa City Area

Iowa City a City of Literature and Culture

In November 2008, the United Nations designated Iowa City the world's third City of Literature.  Iowa City joins Edinburgh, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia as UNESCO Cities of Literature.

The state of Iowa awarded Iowa City a unique cultural distinction with the designation of two cultural districts: The Old Capitol Cultural District (including the downtown area, the Iowa Museum of Natural History and Old Capitol Museum) and the Iowa River Cultural District (which runs along the west side of the Iowa River and includes Hancher Auditorium, the University of Museum of Art and City Park).

Within the two districts are 18 auditoriums, six theatres, five outdoor performance areas, seven historic conservation neighborhoods and the home of 20 performance groups. The districts are also home to four museums, three public art venues, five art galleries, eight bookstores and numerous businesses that have art displays. Thirteen venues offering live music are located in the cultural districts, and each year they are the sites of five musical and cultural festivals and 14 special events.

 Old Capitol Cultural District

 Iowa Avenue Literary Walk

 University of Iowa Museum of Art

 Hancher Auditorium

 Old Capitol Museum

 Englert Theatre

 Summer of the Arts/Iowa City Jazz Festival

Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance

The Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance represents more than 120 arts/culture organizations and hosts a website that features events, activities and attractions that range from what's happening tomorrow to activities six months from now. The site is a one-stop, comprehensive listing of all upcoming events and activities throughout the region.

 Iowa Cultural Corridor Alliance