Downtown Iowa City
Cultural & Entertainment
District
The Downtown Cultural & Entertainment District is a vibrant, diverse, and lively epicenter for the arts. Our District begins in the heart of downtown Iowa City and ripples through this Big Ten town and UNESCO City of Literature. We deliver ever-changing sites and experiences, and welcome everyone who wants to be in the middle of it all, amidst hundreds of locally and nationally renowned live music venues, museums, historic theaters, independent cinemas, and galleries in a place known as the greatest small city of the arts.
Arts & Culture Calendar
State of Iowa Cultural & Entertainment District Designation
In 2022, the State of Iowa designated Downtown Iowa City as an official Cultural & Entertainment District of the State. The department designates Iowa Cultural & Entertainment Districts to recognize well-identified, walkable, mixed-use destinations with a high concentration of flagship cultural facilities.
The Downtown Iowa City Cultural & Entertainment District is located in the heart of Iowa City and is the hub of the โGreatest Small City for the Arts.โ Its 26-block area is easily walkable and bikeable, right at the doorstep of the University of Iowa and the headquarters of the UNESCO City of Literature. It includes a National Register Historic District, the downtown pedestrian mall, and a dynamic collection of restaurants, music venues, museums, historic theaters, shops, independent cinemas, galleries, bars, and many mission-driven organizations. Millions of people visit the district each year to enjoy its vibrant cultural entertainment and 10 hallmark festivals.
With notable cultural and entertainment venues such as the Stanley Museum of Art, the Voxman School of Music, the Iowa Museum of Natural History, the Old Capitol Museum, the historic Englert Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Public Space One, FilmScene, and The Lasansky Gallery, among others, this designation is justifiable as a place that continues to draw and engage artists, innovators, creatives, and entrepreneurs and has directly resulted in the continued growth of new industries in the Iowa City area.
X Marks the Arts is a dynamic marketing initiative aimed at spotlighting the vibrant cultural and entertainment scene thriving within Downtown Iowa City’s Cultural & Entertainment District. X Marks the Arts showcases a curated selection of the week’s most exciting events, encompassing a diverse array of entertainment offerings. From live music performances to art exhibitions and theatrical productions, X Marks the Arts provides an engaging platform for both locals and visitors to discover and engage with the rich tapestry of creativity that defines Downtown Iowa City.
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