BEST US CITIES FOR ART AND CULTURE

The U.S. had almost half of all art sales in 2021, which was around $28 billion according to McAndrew’s 2022 art market report. The top five cities in the U.S. for the art market are New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington. These cities are known for their major museums, galleries, art fairs, and artists! Discover the best US cities for art and culture, keep reading!

Best US cities for art and culture

New York

New York is considered both the cultural capital of America and one of the world’s most renowned cultural cities. 

Broadway, with its large and smaller off-Broadway venues, is a must-visit for musicals and theater. The city has a rich musical history, having been home to punk music in the ’70s and boasting top-notch jazz clubs such as the Iridium on Broadway where legendary musician Les Paul used to perform. 

The art scene is also thriving in New York, with hundreds of galleries showcasing modern art. The Museum Mile is a must-see, with some of the world’s most renowned galleries, including the Met, the Whitney Museum, and the Guggenheim. 

Also, New York is famous for its literary heritage, with The Chelsea Hotel having welcomed notable figures such as Dylan Thomas, Arthur Miller, and William Burroughs.

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Los Angeles

Los Angeles boasts the highest number of museums and galleries per resident than any other American city. Notable ones to visit include the Getty Center, which comprises the Getty Museum and the Getty Villa, housing collections ranging from ancient Greek artifacts to medieval manuscripts. 

The extensive Los Angeles County Museum of Art features Asian and Islamic art, as well as modern pieces by artists such as Jeff Koons. 

The LA Philharmonic plays at the stunning Walt Disney Concert Hall, which was designed by Frank Gehry. In addition to various movie studios, there are cultural events like the Los Angeles Film Festival and the American Film Institute, as well as smaller independent theaters to explore.

San Francisco

During the 1950s, San Francisco was the hub of the Beat movement, and many famous writers and poets like Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Kenneth Rexroth, and Neal Cassidy called it home. 

The Beat Museum is an ideal starting point for exploring the area, as it houses a variety of artifacts and first editions related to the Beats. Lawrence Ferlinghetti, a poet, established the City Lights Bookstore, which published Ginsberg’s revolutionary work, Howl. 

The Haight-Asbury District was the center of the hippie counterculture in the 1960s, with Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead being among the notable residents. If you’re looking for traditional cultural experiences, San Francisco offers plenty of options. 

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a must-visit, featuring exhibits by renowned artists like Matisse, Pollock, Duchamp, and Klee. For performing arts, the War Memorial Opera House and Performing Arts Center are the go-to places for the city’s opera, ballet, and orchestras.

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Chicago

Chicago remains a prominent music destination, with a rich history in Electric Blues featuring legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. The Petrillo Music Shell hosts the Chicago Blues Festival annually, and the city’s clubs still offer live blues music. 

Jazz and classical music festivals are also held, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Grant Park Music Festival offer free classical concerts each summer. 

The Goodman and Steppenwolf theaters are among the top theatrical venues in the country, and for visual arts, visitors can enjoy outdoor sculptures by famous artists like Picasso, Miro, Oldenburg, Calder, and Anish Kapoor. The Institute of Art also features iconic works including Grant Wood’s American Gothic and Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks.

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Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a city that thrives on art and music. The Milwaukee Art Museum boasts an exceptional collection of artwork ranging from the 15th century to the present day, including notable pieces by Warhol, Picasso, and Rodin. 

Additionally, visitors can explore other art collections, such as the Grohmann and Haggerty collections, and delve into the natural history, science, and technology museums at the Milwaukee Public Museum and Discovery World. Milwaukee is also home to some fascinating museums, such as the Harley-Davidson Museum and the Black Holocaust Museum. 

For music enthusiasts, the Summerfest is a must-attend event, known as the “World’s Largest Music Festival” that takes place every year in Henry Maier Festival Park and attracts up to a million people. This festival has seen performances from music icons such as Bob Dylan, Ed Sheeran, and the Rolling Stones in recent years.

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Minneapolis

Minneapolis is considered one of the top theater cities in America, following New York and Chicago. A must-visit theater in the city is the Guthrie, not only for its performances but also for its impressive architecture, which was rebuilt by the award-winning French architect Jean Nouvel a few years ago. 

The city is also a hub for literary enthusiasts, with the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and the Loft Literary Center providing support for budding authors. Artists’ studios and small galleries abound in the Northeast Arts District, while major galleries like the Weissman Art Museum and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, house works ranging from Rembrandt to Gauguin, and the remarkable Walker Art Center, one of the top five collections of modern art in the US, are also worth a visit.

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Boston

Boston, also known as the “Athens of America,” is a city full of cultural landmarks. It offers various entertainment options, including the Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Ballet, and the Lyric Opera, as well as theaters such as the Majestic Cutler, The Colonial, and The Orpheum. 

The Old Corner Bookstore in Boston served as a meeting place for famous American writers in the 19th century, including Hawthorne, Longfellow, and Thoreau. 

Also, the Public Library and Athenaeum are two remarkable libraries that provide a glimpse into America’s literary history. 

Boston also has several art galleries, such as the National Center of Afro-American Artists and the Institute of Contemporary Arts, along with world-renowned museums like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Washington 

Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States and has some remarkable art collections. The Smithsonian Institute operates several galleries such as the American Art Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Sackler, and Freer Galleries. 

Also, the National Gallery is an excellent attraction to visit. For the performing arts, the Kennedy Center is an ideal venue, hosting ballet, dance, jazz, classical music, and theater performances throughout the year. 

The U-Street Corridor, full of smaller clubs and theaters such as the historic Howard and Lincoln Theaters, is also a must-visit. Duke Ellington, the legendary jazz musician, was from the local African-American community.

Which city will you choose to visit next?