Midtown Artistic Attractions (3/4)

Atlanta is a melting pot of arts and culture, and nowhere is that more evident than in Midtown. Situated between downtown and Buckhead, this thriving and vital neighborhood is home to the Southeast’s largest concentration of arts and cultural venues. And while it is anchored by world-class museums, theaters and galleries, it is also a place where art enriches the urban experience on the sidewalk and in public spaces. Known as “The Heart of the Arts,” Midtown is unequivocally Atlanta’s hub for visual and performing arts. 

Boasting 25 different arts and cultural venues, more than 30 permanent performing arts groups, and over 20 various entertainment facilities, Midtown packs a lot into its 3.8 square miles. Home to over 150 festivals, concerts, productions and exhibits every year, there is never a shortage of things to do, and that is one of the reasons locals and visitors alike keep coming back time and again to explore all that this exciting neighborhood has to offer.

The arts are an important part of life in Atlanta, and there is no better place to get cultured than Midtown. Here is a sampling of the amazing attractions that help bring the arts to life for millions of people each and every year. Be sure to check out each attraction’s website for the latest information on current and upcoming events. Click HERE to learn more about Midtown.   
 
Alliance Theatre– Atlanta’s national theater, the Alliance Theatre is dedicated to expanding hearts and minds onstage and off. Founded in 1968, it delivers powerful programming that challenges adult and youth audiences to think critically and care deeply. It is a recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award® in recognition of sustained excellence in programming, education and community engagement. Known for its exemplary artistic standards and national role in creating significant theatrical works, the Alliance Theatre has premiered more than 100 original productions, professionally launching important American musicals with a strong track record of Broadway, touring and subsequent productions. If those are not enough reasons to see an upcoming show, add to it that there is not a bad seat in the house!
 
Atlanta Botanical Garden – Since it opened its doors in 1976, the Atlanta Botanical Garden has become the emerald jewel in the crown of Atlanta culture. The garden is an ever-evolving destination where horticulturally-minded, nature-inspired and fun-seeking visitors come together to feel human again. Renowned plant collections, beautiful displays and spectacular exhibitions make the Atlanta Botanical Garden the loveliest place in the city to visit. An urban oasis in the heart of Midtown, the garden includes 30 acres of outdoor gardens, an award-winning Children’s Garden, the serene Storza Woods, highlighted by a unique canopy walk and the picturesque skyline garden.
 
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra – Recognized as one of the most creative and innovative orchestras in North America, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) performs more than 150 concerts each year, including the Delta Classical, Movies in Concert, Family Concert and Coca-Cola Holiday series, as well as the Atlanta Symphony Hall LIVE concerts and many community and education concerts. In addition, the ASO performs with the 200+ voice, all-volunteer ASO Chorus, which was featured on a number of the ASO’s Grammy®-Award winning recordings. Since its founding more than 70 years ago, the ASO and Chorus have produced a hundred recordings and received more than two dozen Grammy Awards.   
 
The Breman Museum – Interested in the history of the Southern Jewish experience or the Holocaust? Explore Jewish history and culture at The Breman. Atlanta’s Jewish museum, The Breman is home to the permanent exhibition Absence of Humanity: The Holocaust Years, 1933-1945; the Blonder Family Gallery dedicated to Southern Jewish History; and the Schwartz Gallery, which hosts a variety of traveling and rotating exhibitions. The Museum Library and Cuba Family Archives add to its on-site offerings, while The Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education provides a wonderful resource for students, teachers and lifelong learners.
 
Center for Puppetry Arts – Get ready to rethink everything you know about puppets and puppeteers. The Center for Puppetry Arts offers live shows, workshops, exhibitions and events that will make you feel like a kid again. A unique cultural treasure – the Center for Puppetry Arts is a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained. Since 1978, the Center has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and art of puppetry and has touched the lives of many through enchanting performances, curriculum-based workshops and the hands-on museum, as well as digital learning and outreach programs. This is an activity that everyone is sure to love. 
 
The Fox Theatre– The fabulous Fox Theatre is arguably the best live entertainment venue in Atlanta. In fact, in 2009, Billboard Magazine ranked the Fox Theatre as “The No. 1 non-residency venue worldwide for the decade ( 5,000 seats or less).” From rock concerts to Broadway, ballets, comedy and movies, The Fox continues to attract over 750,000 visitors per year. Take a guided tour of this fiercely protected landmark, rock out to your favorite artist or catch a play at this iconic, nationally acclaimed venue. You will not be disappointed. 
 
High Museum of Arts – One of the country’s leading art museums, the High Museum connects with audiences from across the Southeast and around the world through its distinguished collection, dynamic schedule of exhibitions and engaging community-focused programs and events. Boasting more than 18,000 works of art in its permanent collection, you can find everything from an extensive anthology of 19th and 20th-century American fine and decorative arts to major holdings of photography to burgeoning collections of modern and contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, new media and designs. There is also a growing collection of African art, as well as significant holdings of European paintings and works on paper. There is something for every art lover at the High.
 
Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) – The only museum in the Southeast devoted exclusively to the study and celebration of all things design, MODA (formerly known as the Atlanta International Museum of Art & Design) is a participating member of the Smithsonian Affiliate program. It examines how design affects our daily lives through engaging exhibitions, educational outreach and special events designed to initiate conversation and community dialogue. A creative force that is home to some of Atlanta’s most unconventional exhibits, at MODA you can see architecture, industrial and product design, interiors and furniture, graphics, fashion and so much more.   

Piedmont Park – The premier green space and central gathering place of Atlanta, Piedmont Park is famous for its postcard views of the Midtown Atlanta skyline. Sometimes referred to as the “Central Park of the South,” the picturesque park features walking/jogging paths, picnic facilities, playgrounds, tennis courts, public swimming pool, two ponds and a dog park. It is also home to many of Atlanta’s largest annual events, including the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Gay Pride Festival and Screen on the Green. Bring along a picnic or grab a bite at the pubs, cafes and restaurants found just moments from the park and throughout Midtown.
 
SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film – Celebrating fashion as a universal language, garments as important conduits of identity and film as an immersive and memorable medium, the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film is situated within the SCAD Atlanta campus at 1600 Peachtree Street. Focused on the future of fashion design and connecting conceptual to historical principles of dress — whether ceremonial, celebratory or casual — the museum welcomes visitors of all ages to engage with dynamic exhibitions, captivating films and educationally enriching events. Channel your inner fashionista at SCAD FASH.
 
The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse – The Atlanta Shakespeare Company at The Shakespeare Tavern® is a quest for a living theater – a theater whose “raison d’être” is the communion of actor, audience and playwright. Unlike other theaters, it is a place out of time. It is a place where you can experience live music, hand-crafted period costumes and outrageous sword fights, with the entire experience centered on the passion and poetry of the spoken word. With an authentic British pub menu and a broad selection of Irish ales and premium brews, the Shakespeare Tavern is a place to eat, drink and nourish your artistic soul. Enjoy Shakespeare, the classics and a whole lot more in a casual tavern atmosphere. 
 
Synchronicity Theatre – Founded in 1997, Synchronicity is a vital arts voice in the Greater Atlanta area that produces smart, gutsy and bold theater to spark community connections and uplift the voices of women and girls. Focused on producing artistically-excellent work that is relevant and fresh, Synchronicity creates an intimate theater experience that bridges the distance between actors and audience. From plays and events to education and outreach, there is always something exciting happening at Synchronicity.

A Few Leases in Midtown