Springfield, Missouri, boasts a dynamic arts and culture scene that reflects the city’s creative spirit. From visual arts to performing arts, festivals, and public installations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Visual Arts
The city is home to numerous art galleries and the Springfield Art Museum, which houses nearly 9,000 art objects representing thousands of years of culture. On the first Friday of every month, downtown galleries and local businesses open their doors for Art Walk, a free event featuring revolving exhibits of the best local painters, photographers, sculptors, and mixed media artists. Festivals throughout the year like Artsfest and Cider Days also attract hundreds of regional and national artists to display their works.
Performing Arts
Springfield offers a rich and varied experience of live performance arts. The Springfield Regional Opera and Springfield Ballet work to develop area talent and provide an array of classical, contemporary, and holiday productions. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra delights audiences in the acoustically magnificent, 2,264-seat Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts from September through May. Juanita K. hosts an annual season of Broadway musicals, children’s productions, and national performers. The newly renovated Gillioz Theatre (once home to Vaudeville acts, silent movies, and Springfield’s first “talkies”) now hosts our opera and attracts a variety of Broadway shows, film festivals, and national acts. Springfield Little Theatre gives both adults and children a chance to perform on the stage of the historic and beautiful Landers Theatre.
Public Art
When driving or strolling through Springfield—especially in center city—there’s a good chance you’ll pass a striking sculpture or masterful mural. Public art is sprouting up all over town and bringing ambiance to our streetscapes. Thanks to Sculpture Walk Springfield, 3-D art now lines the sidewalks of downtown Springfield. Take the walking tour or venture out farther to snap a pic at some of the city’s most Instagram-worthy public art spots. The city’s murals are multiplying, and you’ll find them on buildings, in recreation centers, and along greenway trails.
Festivals
Springfield hosts a variety of arts and cultural festivals throughout the year. Artsfest, held annually in May, is one of the biggest outdoor art festivals in southwest Missouri, featuring over 100 artists from all over the country, live entertainment, and delicious food. Cider Days, a two-day event held on Walnut Street downtown, features local artists showing their crafts, fall-themed activities, and performances by local groups, as well as cider sampling. The Birthplace of Route 66 Festival, hosted annually since 2010, celebrates the city’s historic connection to Route 66 with a variety of events and activities.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a visitor, Springfield’s arts and culture scene offers a wealth of experiences to explore and enjoy.