Urbana Arts and Culture Program

07/26/2026

Get ready! Another Crystal Lake Park Art Fair 2026 is underway by our friends at 40 North 88 West and Urbana Park District! 🎉

40 North and the Urbana Park District can't wait to see you at the Crystal Lake Park Art Fair 2026!
On Saturday & Sunday, August 1 & 2, from 10am-4pm, Crystal Lake Park will be transformed with local and regional art vendors that will set up along the shady park road next to the large pavilion and the The Lake House In Crystal Lake Park (206 W. Park) and feature paintings, textiles, ceramics, photography, jewelry, glass, wood, printmaking, mixed media and much more! Shop from 40 regional and local artists! There will be kids’ activities with Urvana Mobile Recreation Unit and food trucks onsite!

07/26/2026

What a wonderful morning! More than 60 people joined us today for Get, Set, Romeo and Juliet! | Shakespeare in the Park Performance with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival presented by the Urbana Arts and Culture Program.

Families and friends spread out on picnic blankets, enjoyed frozen treats from PopCycle, and laughed along with this fast-paced, playful take on one of Shakespeare's most beloved stories. It was a joy to see so many people spending a summer afternoon together in the park, proving once again that great theater can be welcoming, accessible, and fun for all ages.

Thank you to everyone who came out, and to the incredible cast and crew of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival for such a delightful performance! 🎭

07/26/2026

Looking for something fun to do today? Join the Urbana Arts and Culture Program and Illinois Shakespeare Festival for Get, Set, Romeo and Juliet! | Shakespeare in the Park Performance! 🎭

This free, family-friendly 40-minute performance puts a fresh, fast-paced spin on Shakespeare's classic, with mystery, sword fights, romance, and plenty of laughs along the way. Perfect for the young and young-at-heart!

We hope to see you there!

07/02/2026

Save the date! Pygmalion kicks off September 24th this year! 🙌🏽

PYGMALION returns in 2026 for its 22nd year, bringing in talents like Robby Hoffman, the return of Ratboys, Anamanaguchi, Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore, Mary Helen Specht, and so many more. The…

07/02/2026

Teen artists took to the stage at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center to show off their creative work! 👏🏽

07/02/2026

🌞 1st ROUND LINEUP IS HERE! 🌙

Celebrating the return of the legendary Dom Flemons, the much-anticipated Urbana debut for Cristina Vane, good ole-fashioned fun with The Po' Ramblin' Boys, and sooooo much more for our 18th year✨

🎟️ 3 day passes are officially on sale with a whole other round of artists still to be announced!!!

Join us October 8th-10th in downtown Urbana, IL for three days of performances, workshops, jams, dances, fun and community!! ❤️

Artwork by Madelyn Witruk 🎨

For tickets, more information, or how to get involved, visit us at folkandroots.org
🎻

07/02/2026

Don't miss PostMark Urbana- July 2026 on Saturday, July 11th from 2-4pm in downtown Urbana for the 3rd Annual Costume & Prop Walk featuring costumes, props, and scenic design pieces from productions at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and Illinois Theatre— only on display inside downtown businesses during PostMark! Sponsored by 40 North 88 West and Urbana Arts and Culture Program! 🎉

Stop by the 40 North 88 West table at The Urbana Free Library to see performances from local theater groups and pick up your map and scavenger hunt sheet. Find all the costumes & props for your chance to win $100 in prizes!

06/19/2026

What a wonderful evening celebrating Urbana’s creative community at our SNEAK PEEK 2026! 🎉

Urbana Arts and Culture Program recognized this year’s Urbana Arts Grants recipients and shared a preview of the incredible projects, performances, exhibitions, and programs that will help shape Urbana’s arts scene in the year ahead. Thank you to all of the artists, organizations, educators, and community members who joined us to celebrate the power of the arts in our city.

A special thank you to DJ Matthis (Beats by Otter) of Plant Mode for spinning an eclectic selection of vinyl throughout the evening, as well as our Urbana Arts and Culture Commission, community jurors, and attendees for their support!

Congratulations to all of our 2026 grant awardees! Stay tuned to see these projects come to life in Urbana!