Where to find theater, dance and other cultural outlets
Copper Coin Ballet Company
420 S. Sixth St.
coppercoinballet@gmail.com
coppercoinballet.org
Reimagines the context and potential for dance in our community to create unique collaborations in artistic expression among burgeoning artists nurtured by experienced artists. CCBC stages annual performances of “Rockballet” and Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”
Grant Conservatory of Music and Dance
501 S. Elliott Ave.
grantconservatory@gmail.com
The newest performance venue in Springfield, and a fine example of midcentury modern architecture, also serves as an education facility for young artists. The Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra Springfield Youth Performance Group and Springfield Social Dance Club are all in residence.
Hoogland Center for the Arts
420 S. Sixth St.
217-523-2787
hcfta.org
The Hoogland Center for the Artsis the home of the arts in downtown Springfield. Over 20 different arts and civic organizations call the Hoogland home. The building has three performance spaces, an art gallery, a dance studio, a full-service kitchen, private offices and plenty of meeting space. The Springfield Area Arts Council, a nexus of information for artists of all stripes, also has office-space at the Hoogland. Every year a variety of organizations hold meetings at the Hoogland, thanks to its location in the heart of downtown Springfield surrounded by the city’s best restaurants, hotels and tourist stops. The Hoogland’s website provides an updated calendar of events and links to other area arts organizations.
Illinois College TheatreWorks
300 Lockwood Ave., Jacksonville
217-245-3471
ic.edu/theatre/tickets
The producing arm of the Illinois College department of theater presents both faculty and student-directed work at the McGaw Fine Arts Center in Jacksonville. It is a campus-driven program that consists of a variety of performances including MainStage plays, student-directed one-acts and an improv troupe.
Illinois Symphony Orchestra Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra
501 W. Elliott Ave. 217-522-2838 (Admin)
217-206-6160 (Tickets)
Ilsymphony.org
Central Illinois’ premier regional orchestra and youth orchestra inspires audiences through the transformative and universal power of music. From live orchestral performances to engaging educational experiences, there’s something for everyone.
Springfield Municipal Band
Springfield.il.us/citizens/municipalband.aspx
spimuniband@springfield.il.us
This year marks the municipal band’s 88th anniversary of providing free music in the city’s parks for both residents and visitors. It is directed by Tom Philbrick and includes approximately 80 musicians who alternate on the various performances. The schedule includes outdoor concerts in Douglas Park on Tuesdays from June through the first week in August, 7:30-9 p.m., and in other parks and events throughout the summer.
Springfield Theatre Centre
420 S. Sixth St.
217-523-2787
SpringfieldTheatreCentre@gmail.com
springfieldtheatrecentre.com
Housed at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, this local theater group has year-round performances as well as summer performing arts camps for children, providing central Illinois with quality theatre, educational opportunities and a creative outlet for live theatrical arts.
The Legacy Theatre
101 E. Lawrence Ave.
217-528-9760
atthelegacy.com
This intimate, jewel-box theater is an eclectic voice in the area arts landscape. Built in 1950 and lovingly rescued and renovated by a grassroots group of arts lovers, The Legacy Theatre offers plays and musicals, concerts, film and events for families.
The Springfield Muni
815 East Lake Shore Dr.
217-793-6864
themuni.org
The Muni is an outdoor amphitheater tucked away at Lake Springfield that offers residents and visitors a unique venue in which to enjoy quality, locally produced entertainment all summer long. The Muni is one of the largest all-volunteer community theater organizations in the nation.
Theatre in the Park
15588 History Lane (Route 97), Petersburg
217-632-5440
theatreinthepark.net
A nationally acclaimed repertory theater located at Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site. The outdoor amphitheater offers a unique environment for a variety of performances throughout the summer.
UIS Performing Arts Center
One University Plaza
217-206-6160
UISpac.com
Located on the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield, the UIS Performing Arts Center encompasses a variety of venues and programs including Sangamon Auditorium, the intimate UIS Studio Theatre, the UIS Ticket Office and the UIS Performing Arts Education Connections program. It hosts more than 120 events each year, including conferences, debates and a broad spectrum of the highest quality of music, theater, dance and comedy shows. From Broadway shows to today’s popular musical stars, the UIS Performing Arts Center hosts big name entertainment throughout the year. It is the only venue of its kind and size in Sangamon County, drawing audiences from a 14-county semi-rural region.
Visual arts
Lincoln Plaza Galleria
4 S. Old State Capitol Plaza
217-679-2581
Facebook.com/lincolnplazagalleria
An art gallery with work from more than 100 artists, both local and from around the U.S. The gift shop offers many unique, handmade gifts and there is a café serving artisan coffee products.
M.G. Nelson Family Gallery
700 N. Fourth St.
217-523-2631
springfieldart.org/mg-nelson-family-gallery.html
Located on the campus of Springfield Art Association, the gallery brings a variety of high-quality visual arts from the traditional to the most contemporary and features a variety of visual arts from around the globe. An average of twelve exhibitions rotate through the gallery each year. These exhibitions represent art from as close as the elementary school across the street and as far away as Russia. The gallery is free and open to the public.
SAA Collective
105 N. Fifth St.
217-544-2787
springfieldart.org
Located downtown in the historic Broadwell Pharmacy Building, the SAA Collective showcases the work of more than 60 member artists in a variety of media, including painting, photography, ceramics, fibers and jewelry. It’s the perfect place to go for a one-of-a-kind gift. The SAA Collective is committed to fostering community awareness and participation in the visual arts while providing support for local emerging and professional artists. The gallery is free and open to the public.
The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space
623 E. Adams St.
801-810-9278
Ever-changing themed art exhibitions sales gallery, open-concept studio space located in a huge downtown gallery. The Pharmacy is dedicated to cultivating and celebrating expressions of multidimensional artists and has a professional clinician trained in art therapy. The Pharmacy Gallery features contemporary art and hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year.
Trutter Museum/Murray Gallery
5250 Shepherd Rd.
217-786-2286
llcc.edu/trutter-murray
Located on the campus of Lincoln Land Community College, the gallery showcases various exhibits throughout the year, including creative works from faculty and students, and selections from the Philip and Mary Kathryn Trutter collection of art, artifacts and other cultural items of interest.
Visual Arts Gallery - University of Illinois Springfield
One University Plaza
217-206-6506
uis.edu/visual-arts/visual-arts-gallery
Located on the UIS campus in the Health and Sciences Building (Room 201), the gallery seeks to expand and enrich understanding of the visual arts for Illinois citizens, artists, and students through diverse quality exhibitions. It holds regular exhibits by visiting artists, faculty and students. The gallery benefits the Illinois art community by increasing public awareness of the visual arts and by exhibiting artists of regional and national importance. Events are free and open to the public.
