You'll find events and activities on ArtsRoad 46 every day of the year, and these annual arts events are a great reason to plan a trip. Find culinary, visual, performance, and architectural art happenings and bundle them together for one amazing getaway. Find other activities and sites to fill in your itinerary with our Trip Ideas.
Columbus Architecture Tours
Tours six days a week, most months of the year, columbus.in.us
Discover how a small Midwestern city became one of the most significant architectural destinations in the US.
Miller House and Garden Tours
Tours six days a week, most months of the year, columbus.in.us
Visit one of the most important examples of mid-century modern residential architecture in the country. This hallmark of modern design showcases the talents of architect Eero Saarinen, designer Alexander Girard, and landscape architect Dan Kiley.
Gallery Walk Bloomington
Every First Friday, Downtown Bloomington, gallerywalkbloomington.com
On the first Friday of each month, the downtown galleries present new exhibits and an opening reception. The walk in between the galleries is great too, with numerous restaurants, shops, and hotels.
Second Saturday Village Art Walk
Second Saturdays, May-November, Village of Nashville, artalliancebrowncounty.org
Participating galleries will be open late and offer refreshments, receptions, demonstrations, and music.
pARTake - A Fine Pairing of Art and Wine
Monthly, Chateau Thomas Winery and Gift Shop, artalliancebrowncounty.org
A two-hour art workshop where participants can learn from area artists. Each month is a different medium. Cost is $40 and includes a glass of wine, all art materials, individual instruction, and light refreshments. Attendance is limited and advance reservations are suggested.
Taste of Bloomington
Mid-June, Showers Common, tasteofbloomington.com
Bloomington's best restaurants, breweries, and wineries showcase their culinary artistry at this popular food festival. Live music and kid-friendly activities provide entertainment while you sample your way through over 40 food and beverage vendors.
Arts Fair on the Square
Mid-June, Monroe County Courthouse Lawn, artsfair.org
More than 100 artists participate in this annual arts fair, showcasing art in a variety of mediums. The fair includes performances and kids activities, and it's all in the heart of downtown Bloomington within walking distance of local restaurants.
Arts Village Cinefest
Mid-June, Brown County Playhouse, artalliancebrowncounty.org
A two-day film festival at the Brown County Playhouse. Local art groups have come together to produce a festival of films featuring art and artists.
Indiana Heritage Arts Exhibition
Early-June into July, Brown County Art Gallery, indianaheritagearts.org
An annual juried fine art exhibition and sale of traditional and representational Indiana art. View and possibly purchase beautiful works of art created by talented Indiana artists, which were selected to be a part of this year's show. See if you agree with the judge's selection of the award-winning paintings!
Live on the Plaza
Mid-June, Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza, artsincolumbus.org
The members of Naturally 7 have perfected an intriguing a cappella style they have branded as "Vocal Play" - singing as instruments. In its quest to celebrate the voice, Naturally 7 not only sings but also creates every instrument - drums, bass guitars, horns, flutes. Enjoy this FREE concert while experiencing one of Columbus' most beloved architectural sites.
Fourth Street Festival of the Arts
Labor Day Weekend, Fourth and Grant Streets, 4thstreet.org
Held each Labor Day weekend, the festival covers several blocks of 4th Street in downtown Bloomington with fine arts and crafts. Artists from around the country are juried into this show, and accompanied by music and entertainment.
Scottish Festival
Mid-September, Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, scottishfestival.org
A celebration of all things Scottish, including traditional cuisine, Highland and Scottish Country dancing, bagpipers, musicians, reenactors, sheep herding demonstrations, and more!
Great Outdoor Art Contest
Mid-September, T.C. Steele State Historic Site, tcsteele.org
Experience the tradition of plein air painting as registered artists paint on the T.C. Steel State Historic Site grounds. Food and beverage vendors will be on site as well as an outdoor concert in the afternoon.
Lotus Festival of World Music and Arts
Mid-September, Downtown Bloomington, lotusfest.org
This massive music festival brings artists from around the world to perform on various indoor and outdoor stages around downtown Bloomington. It's like sampling world cultures in the comfort and convenience a small Midwestern city.
Exhibit Columbus Symposium
The 2016 "Foundations and Futures" symposium will serve as the kickoff for the J. Irwin and Xenia S. Miller Prize Competition, the central component of the 2017 symposium and exhibit. This year's symposium will offer presentations and panel discussions by expert architects, designers, fabricators, and producers. Find more information at exhibitcolumbus.org.
Back Roads Studio Tour
October, Various artist studios in Brown County, browncountystudiotour.com
Free, self-guided tour showcasing the arts and crafts of the present-day "Arts Colony of the Midwest." Visit a dozen home studios, featuring the work of more than 20 artists. Meet the artists, watch them work, and explore the spaces that inspire them.
Artisan Guilds of Bloomington Holiday Show
Early-November, Bloomington Convention Center, facebook.com/artisanguilds
Local artists from three major guilds come together for this mega holiday sale. Glass, fiber, and clay artwork will be for sale, a perfect time to find holiday gifts.
Cardinal Stage Company's Holiday Show
Late-December into January, Buskirk-Chumley Theater, cardinalstage.org
This annual show has become a favorite with many families in the region. Cardinal Stage Company is a professional theater company that produces a range of shows, from classic comedies to contemporary dramas. They also have an outstanding children's series called Cardinal for Kids, including the holiday show. Past performances include Shrek, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The Wizard of Oz.
