Greenville, SC, has a thriving arts scene that everyone can enjoy! If you enjoy visual or performing arts, there’s something for every taste in Greenville!
Visual Arts in Greenville, SC
From museums to galleries and independent artist studios, the arts scene in Greenville, SC, is robust.
The Greenville County Museum of Art, situated on Heritage Green next to Greenville Theatre and the Children’s Museum of the Upstate, is open to the public five days a week and offers free admission to all. With a large Andrew Wyeth collection and rotating traveling exhibits, GCMA hosts exhibitions that will appeal to all art lovers.
Members of the public may visit local artists in their studios on the first Friday of the month as part of the Metropolitan Arts Council’s First Fridays series. MAC also hosts the annual Open Studios event every November. A weekend-long gallery crawl, Open Studios invites artists from all over the Upstate to welcome the public into their workshops to learn about and purchase art directly from the artist.
Art studios and galleries in Greenville are concentrated in the Village of West Greenville and Downtown Greenville, where you’ll find places such as ArtBomb, Art Crossing, and numerous other independent artists and collectives.
Looking for art classes in Greenville, SC? The Greenville Center for Creative Arts offers classes in almost every medium, and MAC offers a calendar of classes at sites across the Upstate.
Performing Arts in Greenville, SC
From big Broadway shows to local theater, dance, and music, Greenville is the place to be. You can see all of the hottest Broadway touring shows, plus renowned dance and musical performances, at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts. Want to catch a much larger act? Head over to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for stadium concerts and special events. If you enjoy smaller venues, several places offer live music in Greenville, SC. Check out spots like the Radio Room for a more intimate setting.
The Upstate’s fantastic weather means outdoor performances are frequent and varied. Furman University offers Music by the Lake, or catch a show at the CCNB Ampitheatre at Heritage Park in Simpsonville. Live bands perform for Downtown Alive and Main Street Fridays in Downtown Greenville.
Theater fans, especially, have a surfeit of choices in Greenville. In addition to shows at the Peace Center, theatergoers can enjoy performances at The Warehouse Theatre, Greenville Theatre, and Centre Stage. The South Carolina Children’s Theatre offers fun family performances, and the Upstate Shakespeare Festival introduces new audiences to the Bard every year.
Celebrate the Arts in Greenville, SC
Artisphere celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024. This enormous arts festival takes over downtown Greenville one weekend every May. The schedule holds something for everyone and for every interest, and the visual and performing arts are accompanied by an excellent menu of food and drinks. Artisphere offers a little something for folks of all ages, so don’t miss it.
Arts Education in Greenville, SC
Greenville is home to two extraordinary public school arts programs: The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities and the Fine Arts Center. The Fine Arts Center is a day program for high school students who wish to study any one of several specialties offered by the program. FAC also offers middle school and summer program opportunities for younger students. The GSAH is a residential program, with students living on campus overlooking Falls Park in Downtown Greenville.
As you can see, the arts are alive and well in Greenville, SC. Call me and I’ll help you find a home in our culturally vibrant city!
