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February 25, 2026

Beck Center for the Arts Celebrates 50 Years of Dance with “Little Red Riding Hood”

Beck Center for the Arts is marking its 50th year of dance with a new production of “Little Red Riding Hood.” The original ballet features over 95 performers in a playful take on the classic tale, with guest appearances from Cinderella and Goldilocks. Performances will be held at the Senney Theater from April 10-12, 2026, including a sensory-friendly option and a family-friendly matinee. Tickets are available for purchase, with various age-appropriate pricing tiers.

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February 13, 2026

Toledo Opera Announces Thrilling 2026-27 Season Featuring “Aida” and “H.M.S. Pinafore”

Toledo Opera has announced its 2026-2027 season, featuring two major productions: Giuseppe Verdi’s “Aida” and Gilbert & Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore.” The season, beginning in October 2026, will present “Aida” for the first time in over a decade, alongside the company’s first Gilbert & Sullivan operetta in more than twenty years. “Aida” will explore themes of love, duty, and sacrifice in ancient Egypt, while “H.M.S. Pinafore” promises nautical fun and comic hijinks. Subscriptions and single tickets will go on sale March 2, 2026, offering audiences a chance to experience both grand opera and comic operetta.

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February 4, 2026

Allen Memorial Art Museum Presents Major Retrospective of June Leaf

The Allen Memorial Art Museum is set to host “June Leaf: Shooting from the Heart,” a major retrospective of artist June Leaf, from January 27 to May 24, 2026. This exhibition is the first comprehensive look at Leaf’s work in over three decades, showcasing nearly 100 pieces from a career spanning seven decades. The show includes paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and collages, highlighting Leaf’s unique artistic vision. Curated by Allison Kemmerer, Gordon Wilkins, and Sam Adams, the retrospective aims to re-examine the significant contributions of the Chicago-born artist. The exhibition will conclude its national tour at the Allen, celebrating Leaf’s return to the Midwest.

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February 2, 2026

Akron Art Museum Unveils Dual Exhibitions Featuring Restored Tiffany Window

The Akron Art Museum has launched two new exhibitions, “Transfiguration: Rachel Libeskind and the Tiffany Window” and “Jess T. Dugan: I want you to know my story.” The “Transfiguration” exhibition features a restored Tiffany stained-glass window, originally designed by Frederick Wilson for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, alongside contemporary works by Rachel Libeskind. The window, a significant piece of Tiffany Studios’ history, has been conserved to be accessible to a wider audience. The “Jess T. Dugan” exhibition showcases photographic portraits that explore the power of relationships and authentic self-expression. Dugan was recognized with the Akron Art Museum’s 2024 Knight Foundation Purchase Award for Photographic Media. Both exhibitions will be on view through July 2026.

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January 30, 2026

Cleveland Museum of Art Announces February Events Featuring Valentine’s Day Activities and New Exhibitions

The Cleveland Museum of Art has announced its February 2026 event calendar, featuring Valentine’s Day-themed activities, the opening of new exhibitions, and ongoing popular programming. Highlights include a “Make and Sip” event, “Date Night Performances” with jazz, and “Valentine’s Day Tours.” New exhibitions opening in February are “still/emerging: Native American Works on Paper” and “Hidden Insights: Looking at the Backs of Portrait Miniatures.” Visitors can also experience events celebrating Black History Month and music series.

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January 27, 2026

Freedom Center Announces Diverse Black History Month Programming for 2026

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is set to host five diverse programs in February 2026 to honor Black History Month. The programming aligns with the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week and will feature a range of events including lectures, film screenings, performances, and workshops. A key event is the free Fifth Third Community Day on February 15, which will include a presentation by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Dr. Edda L. Fields-Black and other academics. Other scheduled activities include a look at Black independent cinema, a talent showcase, a family history workshop, and a documentary screening.

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January 21, 2026

Cleveland Museum of Natural History Named Top 5 Best New Museums by USA TODAY

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History has achieved a significant national recognition, ranking #4 in USA TODAY’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best New Museums. This honor follows the museum’s extensive renovation, completed in December 2024. The award highlights the museum’s innovative design, sustainability efforts, and community engagement, positioning it as a top new cultural destination. The recognition underscores the museum’s commitment to science and environmental stewardship, adding to its growing list of accolades.

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January 6, 2026

Cleveland Museum of Art to Host Free Daylong Celebration Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) will host a free, daylong celebration on Monday, January 19, 2026, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will feature activities designed to encourage reflection on history and legacy, exploring connections between Dr. King’s work and the museum’s collection. Visitors can participate in art-making workshops, guided tours, and will receive free admission to the “Renaissance to Runway” fashion exhibition.

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January 1, 2026

Cleveland Museum of Art Announces January 2026 Exhibitions and Events

The Cleveland Museum of Art has unveiled its January 2026 programming, featuring a variety of musical performances, new and continuing exhibitions, and diverse on-site activities. Highlights include concerts by Trio Seoul and the Oberlin Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble, alongside new exhibitions like ‘Pahari Paintings: Art and Stories.’ The month also offers educational programs, family-friendly events, and a special celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, providing a rich cultural experience for visitors.

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January 1, 2026

Heights Arts Unveils Two New Exhibitions Exploring Fire, Transformation, and Healing

Heights Arts will present two new exhibitions beginning January 6, 2026, titled “Consider Fires” and “Spotlight: Josh Chefitz.” The exhibitions delve into the multifaceted nature of fire, exploring themes of destruction, transformation, memory, and healing. “Consider Fires” features local Northeast Ohio artists interpreting these concepts through diverse artistic mediums. The “Spotlight” exhibition highlights the work of artist Josh Chefitz, whose mixed media pieces focus on memory as a pathway to personal growth. Both shows run until March 15, 2026, with an opening reception on January 16th and a special artist and poet event on February 19th.

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December 18, 2025

April Sunami Awarded 2026 Aminah Robinson Fellowship

April Sunami has been awarded the 2026 Aminah Robinson Artist Fellowship by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and the Columbus Museum of Art. The fellowship provides a three-month residency in Aminah Robinson’s former home studio, a $15,000 award, and a community outreach project. Sunami will use the residency to create mixed media artworks inspired by Yoruba goddesses. This fellowship honors Aminah Robinson’s legacy by supporting African American artists in Franklin County.

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December 18, 2025

April Sunami Selected for Aminah Robinson Artist Fellowship

April Sunami has been awarded the 2026 Aminah Robinson Artist Fellowship by the Columbus Museum of Art and the Greater Columbus Arts Council. The fellowship provides Sunami with a three-month residency in Aminah Robinson’s home studio, a $15,000 award, and a community outreach opportunity. During her residency, Sunami will create mixed media works inspired by Yoruba goddesses, exploring themes of resilience and transformation. This program honors Aminah Robinson’s legacy and supports African American artists in the region.

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December 16, 2025

Cleveland Museum of Art Unveils Diverse 2026 Exhibition Lineup

The Cleveland Museum of Art has announced its exhibition schedule for 2026, featuring a robust lineup of diverse programming to mark its 110th anniversary. The year will include major exhibitions such as “Spectacular Freedom: Andrew Wyeth and the Modern American Watercolor,” “Martin Puryear: Nexus,” “Manet & Morisot,” and “Ten Kings of Hell and the Afterlife in Medieval Korea,” among others. These exhibitions will explore a wide range of artistic periods and cultures, from American watercolor traditions and contemporary abstraction to Impressionist dialogues and Korean Buddhist art. The museum aims to offer visitors a rich and varied experience, delving into the evolution of artistic movements and the cultural contexts that shaped them.

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