Expressing oneself via the arts and/or making something out of nothing is an essential activity for some people. Whether your creative outlet is music, writing or artwork, Ohio is home to some cities and towns where you’re likely to fit right in. The following are eight places in Ohio where creativity is celebrated and innovation thrives.
- The Short North Arts District
Bob Hall/Flickr This well-known Columbus neighborhood is beloved among locals and a popular day-trip destination for visitors. Street murals, art galleries and locally produced food and other items abound here.
- Columbus
Stephen Wolfe/Flickr Forbes magazine recently reported Columbus as one of 2015’s seven smartest cities in the world, based on the Intelligent Community Forum. The city is an undeniable hub of innovation for young creatives looking to launch a business or artistic outlet.
- Yellow Springs
JR P/Flickr Home to Antioch College and a colorful downtown, this artsy little town is a safe haven for those looking to indulge in creativity and the quirkiness of small town living. Knit graffiti is common here, and other popular amenities include the twice-a-year Yellow Springs Street Fair, the Glen Helen Nature Reserve and the nearby John Bryan State Park.
- Cincinnati
it’s tea/Flickr According to Movoto and The Dayton Business Journal, Cincinnati is among one of America’s most creative and innovative cities in terms of music stores, performing arts organizations, colleges and museums. As an added bonus, with ever-changing exhibits, the Contemporary Arts Center offers viewers a fresh and unique art experience for just $7.50–and on Mondays after 5 p.m. admission is FREE.
- Athens
Ron Bailey/Flickr The beloved college town of Athens is home to Ohio University, where the college campus and downtown area abounds with creativity via locally made products and food, coffee shop poetry nights, up and coming musical artists and environmental sustainability initiatives.
- Oberlin
Edsel Little/Flickr Home to the private liberal arts college, Oberlin College (the first American higher education institution to admit female and black students,) this progressive little town has a close-knit community, a rich history and a lively arts and cultural scene. In 2012, it was voted one of the state’s “Best Hometowns” by “Ohio Magazine.”
- Findlay
Alvin Trusty/Flickr Art is an undeniable priority in Findlay. With multiple art galleries, Awakening Minds Art (an award-winning art class) and The Arts Partnership, there are plenty of venues to foster your artistic talent here. Additionally, at the Mazza Museum, you can learn to draw or paint your own renditions of famous children’s book artwork.
- Cleveland
Tim Evanson/Flickr The Dayton Business Journal and Movoto also deemed Cleveland one of America’s most creative and innovative cities in America. As an added bonus, viewing fine art is free of charge at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
What other creative havens are there in Ohio?
Bob Hall/Flickr
This well-known Columbus neighborhood is beloved among locals and a popular day-trip destination for visitors. Street murals, art galleries and locally produced food and other items abound here.
Stephen Wolfe/Flickr
Forbes magazine recently reported Columbus as one of 2015’s seven smartest cities in the world, based on the Intelligent Community Forum. The city is an undeniable hub of innovation for young creatives looking to launch a business or artistic outlet.
JR P/Flickr
Home to Antioch College and a colorful downtown, this artsy little town is a safe haven for those looking to indulge in creativity and the quirkiness of small town living. Knit graffiti is common here, and other popular amenities include the twice-a-year Yellow Springs Street Fair, the Glen Helen Nature Reserve and the nearby John Bryan State Park.
it’s tea/Flickr
According to Movoto and The Dayton Business Journal, Cincinnati is among one of America’s most creative and innovative cities in terms of music stores, performing arts organizations, colleges and museums. As an added bonus, with ever-changing exhibits, the Contemporary Arts Center offers viewers a fresh and unique art experience for just $7.50–and on Mondays after 5 p.m. admission is FREE.
Ron Bailey/Flickr
The beloved college town of Athens is home to Ohio University, where the college campus and downtown area abounds with creativity via locally made products and food, coffee shop poetry nights, up and coming musical artists and environmental sustainability initiatives.
Edsel Little/Flickr
Home to the private liberal arts college, Oberlin College (the first American higher education institution to admit female and black students,) this progressive little town has a close-knit community, a rich history and a lively arts and cultural scene. In 2012, it was voted one of the state’s “Best Hometowns” by “Ohio Magazine.”
Alvin Trusty/Flickr
Art is an undeniable priority in Findlay. With multiple art galleries, Awakening Minds Art (an award-winning art class) and The Arts Partnership, there are plenty of venues to foster your artistic talent here. Additionally, at the Mazza Museum, you can learn to draw or paint your own renditions of famous children’s book artwork.
Tim Evanson/Flickr
The Dayton Business Journal and Movoto also deemed Cleveland one of America’s most creative and innovative cities in America. As an added bonus, viewing fine art is free of charge at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
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