Art Spaces, Galleries, & More in the Champaign-Urbana Area
Our community is built on a passion for arts & culture. From public art in our parks and urban districts to dedicated gallery spaces, you'll be inspired every day with these brilliant locations.
Art Spaces
With the philosophy of serving as a lab and a sanctuary, the Krannert Art Museum on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus is a must-visit in our region. Admission is free, and the extraordinary space shares thoughtful exhibitions of fine art from around the globe alongside the impressive work of Illinois students and faculty. Throughout the academic year, you can engage further with numerous events that speak to diverse audiences, such as Rest Lab, Speak Café, Knit & Sit!, and Artventures for Kids.
Calling Parkland College's campus home, Giertz Gallery features work from students, faculty, and regional artists. The vibe is ever-changing, with exhibitions, artist talks, and receptions open to the public. It's free to visit, and always worth the stop.
Art Coop in Urbana has been fueling creative sparks since 1971. Owned and run by local artists, it’s the kind of place where you pop in for a pencil and leave cradling armfuls of dangerously inspiring supplies—plus fun art books and giftable merch. It’s also home to a small but mighty gallery dedicated to underrepresented voices, arts accessibility, and community-building. Signature exhibits like the long-running $50 Art Show and the exuberant Big Gay Art Show make it a welcoming hub for makers and art-lovers alike.
Public Art
The Champaign County African American Heritage Trail features five vibrant murals that serve as living history lessons. Each one is created by a nationally recognized artist, and stand as bold testaments to resilience, excellence, and cultural legacies.
Throughout Champaign-Urbana and our surrounding communities, you’ll discover sculptures, murals, utility box wraps, and more adorning our city streets, our campus, and area parks and preserves.Take the time to see them all with our Art in CU Experience Pass. With nearly 200 pieces featured, you’ll discover art and our community all at the same time. Bonus: we’ll reward you for participating!
Rural Murals
Historical murals across our small towns tell the rich stories of these communities. In Arcola, the Walldogs, a group of 130 artists, created 15 murals that celebrate the heritage of this community. Among the themes are Hispanic immigration, the Broomcorn Festival, the home of Raggedy Ann & Andy, and a nod to the innovator in hybrid seed corn. In Paxton, two murals were recreated, highlighting the long-time vibrancy of their charming downtown. Learn the history of Douglas County through a mural at the Douglas County Museum in Tuscola, depicting Amish settlements, agriculture, local athletes, musicians, the railroad, and much more.
Galleries
Our community is rich with artists working across various mediums. Part of the Champaign Park District—and right in the heart of downtown—Springer Cultural Center's gallery space offers local and regional artists, both amateur and professional, a dedicated venue to display their work.
In downtown Urbana, two women-owned galleries support dozens of local artists. In Cinema Gallery, you’ll discover local and regional artists whose work ranges from ceramics to sculpture to paintings. Just down the block, the Gilbert Gallery highlights nearly 40 local artists with a variety of mediums and techniques.
Housed in a repurposed bank, the Vault Art Gallery in Tuscola is a colorful mix of folk art, fine art, and handmade jewelry from dozens of artists. You're sure to stumble across something unexpected!
Off in the square in Monticello, find joy in the colorful space at Prairie Fire Glass. Artist Jim Downey takes excellent care to create unique pieces; if you catch him at the furnace, it's a show you won't forget.
Broken Oak Gallery & Studio, set in a scenic area in White Heath, is home to artists Judith Baker-Barrows and Lyn Barrows. It showcases their photography, acrylics, oil, and woodturning while spotlighting other local artists.
The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, with a mission of distributing media that emphasizes underrepresented voices and perspectives, hosts workshops, exhibits, and performances throughout the year to enjoy. Gallery space allows for pop-up art shows, while their main space allows for performances that empower and inspire.
Art festivals & markets throughout the year
Discover our local and regional art scene for the rest of the year during one of the area’s many festivals. Warning: You’ll become a collector of local art in no time!
Boneyard Arts Festival
Presented by 40 North, Champaign County's Arts Council, Boneyard turns the entire county into a pop-up gallery every April. Over one vibrant weekend, you'll spot paintings in cafés, murals in alleys, installations in libraries, and more.
Crystal Lake Park Art Fair
This late-summer fair in Urbana is a relaxed, nature-filled event with curated makers offering everything from watercolor prints to handmade jewelry.
West Side Arts
Each September, West Side Arts brings fresh energy to downtown Champaign's historic West Side Park. Fun kids' activities and food trucks round out the scene.
Champaign-Urbana Spinners & Weavers Guild
Just in time for cooler weather, this annual event in November showcases intricate artistry across various handmade goods, from sweaters to hats to tapestries.
Craft League of Champaign-Urbana Art Fair
For over 40 years, this group of talented artists has hosted this event, conveniently held in November, early in the holiday season. Shop jewelry, paintings, mixed-media, and more—for yourself or those on your list!
Mistletoe Market
It’s hard not to shop for yourself at this annual indoor market at locations in Champaign and Urbana throughout November and December. Local artists are ready to set you up for the holidays!
Riggs Christmas Market
There’s no better spot for a Christkindl-style market than Riggs Beer Company. Sip on their German beer, Gluwein, or hot cocoa while shopping at artists' huts that rotate every weekend from Thanksgiving through Christmas.