Bloomington is rich with its vibrant and diverse culture, and there are so many opportunities to experience the performing and visual arts. From off-Broadway musicals to Picasso’s artwork to rare manuscripts, IU offers many chances to experience all types of art.
So whether you’re a theater neophyte or have been going to museums for years, here is a sample of the arts at IU.
IU CINEMA
1213 E. Seventh St.
www.cinema.indiana.edu
The IU Cinema opened in January 2011 with state-of-the-art technology, surround sound, custom decor and renovated panels of Thomas Hart Benton’s Indiana Murals. It has become a premiere destination for film lovers in Bloomington and from around the area, with more than 150 films screened each semester, including new arthouse releases, film classics and foreign films.
The cinema has also become IU’s center for the scholarly study of film. According to its website, the cinema is “the University’s first research facility where audiences can collectively revisit the cinematic works archived within Bloomington’s vast film print collections.”
IU ART MUSEUM
1133 E. Seventh St.
www.iub.edu/~iuam
Established in 1941, the IU Art Museum, with its unique angles, was built by I.M. Pei, who also designed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum and the entrance to the Louvre.
The museum houses pieces from nearly every culture and era, including works from Africa and ancient Greece and works by Pablo Picasso and Paul Strand.
The museum is free and open to the public, and also features a café and gift shop.
MUSICAL ARTS CENTER
101 N. Jordan Ave.
www.music.indiana.edu/opera
Home to the Jacobs School of Music’s Opera and Ballet Department, the Musical Arts Center showcases world-class performances, including an annual production of “The Nutcracker.” It’s regularly compared to the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and it seats up to 1,460 patrons.
THE LILLY LIBRARY
1200 E. Seventh St.
www.indiana.edu/~liblilly
Founded in 1960, the Lilly Library is one of the largest collections of rare books in the world, housing more than 450,000 books and 7.5 million manuscripts.
Some notable pieces include a Gutenberg Bible, George Washington’s letter accepting his presidency, the first printed edition of Shakespeare’s works and typescripts of Ian Fleming’s “James Bond” novels.
LEE NORVELLE THEATRE AND DRAMA CENTER
275 N. Jordan Ave.
www.indiana.edu/~thtr
For years, the Department of Theatre and Drama has been putting on phenomenal shows ranging from Shakespearean to Tony Award-winning at the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center.
GRUNWALD GALLERY OF ART
1201 E. Seventh St.
www.indiana.edu/~grunwald
The Grunwald Gallery of Art is an exhibition venue for both professional and student artists to display their work.
Free to the public, the gallery “frequently collaborates with artists, scientists and scholars to produce exhibits that interpret visual art in a broader scientific or humanities context,” according to its website.
IU AUDITORIUM
1211 E. Seventh St.
www.iuauditorium.com
The IU Auditorium opened in 1941 after it was constructed as part of the Works Progress Administration program.
Built entirely of Indiana limestone, it was the first building completely planned and constructed under Herman B Wells’ presidency.
With more than 3,000 seats, the auditorium is home to off-Broadway shows, guest speakers, comedians, orchestras, concerts and more, with acts appealing to every demographic.
