Students at the University of Illinois are privy to a wide variety of artistic and cultural experiences. There are venues to view art displays, congregate with kindred minds and generally nurture a student’s artistic side.

One of the most visually prominent spots on the University’s cultural map is the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave. Since 1969, The Krannert Center has welcomed performers from around the country and the globe, as well as served as the center for the University’s own theater and dramatics programs. Over 300 performances take place at the Center’s four theaters every year, touching on everything from jazz and blues musicians to plays, operas, chamber music, musicals and the University’s in-house symphonic bands. The Krannert Center also features a gift shop and a caf‚ that doubles as a light restaurant, making the Center a popular place for both students and Champaign-Urbana residents to gather throughout the day, even when there are no performances going on.

Also featured at the Krannert Center this year is the Wall to Wall Guitar Festival. The festival, which takes place Sept. 13 – 15, features more than 40 guitarists from all over the world showcasing their riffs for three days. Expected performers at the festival are Buddy Guy, Los Lobos and Shawn Colvin.

The Krannert Art Museum, 500 E. Peabody Drive, is an entirely different structure despite its similar moniker. However, it is no less important to the Champaign-Urbana cultural scene. Featuring art ranging from ancient Egyptian artwork and contemporary photographs to originals from famous artists like Paul Gauguin, the museum is the second largest art museum in the state, surpassed only by the Art Institute of Chicago. The University counts itself as a member of the Smithsonian Institutes’ lending program, which means that it can draw upon the vast resources of that respected collection.

The University’s buildings, however, are not the only places that a student can go to find art and culture in Champaign-Urbana.

The twin cities are home to several well-known and historic art theatres, including Boardman’s Art Theatre, 126 W. Church St., and the Historic Virginia Theatre, 203 W. Park St. They show a mix of popular films, art films, musical acts, both popular and cultural, and a range of other performances. The Historic Virginia Theater in particular is a staple of the greater C-U area, playing host each year to University alumnus Roger Ebert’s annual Ebertfest for overlooked films. This showing, which is presented by the College of Communications, screens 12 films from the past year that Ebert feels were missed by audiences.

Small student productions also take center stage at The Armory Free Theater, which puts on student productions, experimental plays and other performances not handled by the Krannert Center. As its name implies, the theater is free and located in the heart of campus. Similar productions also occur at the Illini Union, Lincoln Hall and other locations, all blending to form the University’s diverse cultural environment.