|
From Plymouth County in the north to Hamburg at the southern end of the Loess Hills, these artistic and cultural hotspots are great places to inspire your artistic side.
The Akron Opera House is a historic building that has been kept alive by community spirit. Head down Highway 12 along the Big Sioux River until it empties into the Missouri River at Sioux City. The Orpheum and the Sioux City Art Center are arts and cultural gems located downtown in the seat of Woodbury County. On the southern half of the byway, Council Bluffs is home to two excellent art hubs. The Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center is in a historic railroad district, while the Arts Center at Iowa Western is on the outskirts of Council Bluffs on the community college's scenic campus. The small, quaint town of Malvern in Mills County hosts a vibrant arts community. In nearby Glenwood, the Mills Masquers promotes local performing arts in southwest Iowa. If classic, small-town cinemas are your thing, see a flick at the renovated Colonial Theatre in Hamburg. |
|
Akron Opera House
Photo: Akron Opera House
|
The Akron Opera House is one of Iowa's remaining historical gems. Built in 1905, the Opera House held its first performance in February 1906. Over the next 100 years, an array of live performances have played at the opera house.
During the Depression, when the Akron Opera House was closed to performances, Akron refused to let it deteriorate beyond renovation. In 1 970, a high school drama teacher and a group of students organized community efforts to reopen the opera house. The Akron Opera House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. Today, the community has undertaken a restoration and renovation project that will preserve the historic nature of the Akron Opera House while making needed renovations to ensure it is a resource in the community for generations to come. Learn how to support the effort on the Akron Opera House website. |
Sioux City Orpheum Theatre
Photo: Sioux City Orpheum
|
When it opened in 1927, the Sioux City Orpheum was the largest theatre in the state of Iowa at the time. The Orpheum hosted symphony performances, ballet and special attractions, and entertainers such as Fred Astaire and Katherine Hepburn.
In 1999, a team of local and national experts began the restoration process. Approximately two years and thousands of hours later, the Orpheum Theatre was re-opened on September 15, 2001. Since the grand re-opening, the theatre has provided the Siouxland area an opportunity to attend performances by fabulous performers like Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Jewel, Alison Kraus, and Jerry Seinfeld. In addition, thousands have enjoyed spectacular Broadway shows and the Sioux City Symphony. |
Malvern, Iowa
Photo: Golden Hills RC&D
|
Art is the heart and soul of Malvern! Stroll the town to view its public art and delight in the many murals and sculptures.
Local artist Zach Jones has created the stunning Art Church in the 1873-build Presbyterian Church. The beautiful venue hosts live music and events. Fine Arts on Fifth is an art gallery featuring works created by Midwestern artists. Local artists, like Anna Stoysich, offer summer camps and art classes. Each summer, Malvern hosts a well-loved summer concert series and during the holiday season, Malvern hosts two can't miss events: the Festival of Trees and Lantern Launch. The town is also part of the Southwest Iowa Art Tour, held annually the third weekend in September. |
Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center
Photo: Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center
|
Located in the historic Haymarket District, Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment opened the doors of its newly renovated home in 2020.
The Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center serves as a hub for creative activity, including educational offerings and classrooms, artist studios and exhibition galleries, culinary arts and teaching kitchens, and a 280-seat theater. The center also has event spaces for live music, community gatherings, and more. The American Midwest Ballet, Chanticleer Community Theater, Kitchen Council, and Kanesville Symphony Orchestra call the center home and offer public performances throughout the year. |
Sioux City Art Center
Photo: Sioux City Art Center
|
The Sioux City Art Center's iconic three-storied glass atrium houses the center's permanent collection, traveling exhibitions, the Junior League Hands On! Gallery, and the Grant Wood Corn Room Mural, restored from the Martin Hotel Ballroom.
The art center's mission is to bring the excitement of the visual arts to the Siouxland community and its visitors through education, exhibitions, and permanent collection programming. The annual ArtSplash festival is a popular event with families and children. It is held every year in September. Art classes for all ages are held throughout the year in the Art Center's Gilchrist Learning Center. |
Three more for the road . . .
Arts Center at Iowa WesternHosts touring artists and local productions.
Photo: Arts Center at Iowa Western
|
Mills MasquersPromotes performing arts in Mills County.
Photo: Mills Masquers
|
Colonial Theatre
|
Hamburg theater restored after floods.
Photo: Colonial Theatre
|
|