Cultural & Entertainment
District

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 “Greatest Small City for the Arts.” 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.