Heights Arts

Community Engagement in the Arts

Music

Free community concerts, ARTbar gallery performers, chamber music in unique intimate settings and more.

Literary

Live poetry events and special programs hosted by Cleveland Heights' own Poet Laureate give the local arts a voice.

Visual Arts

Quarterly group and solo exhibitions inspire, represent and support our rich arts community..

Upcoming Events

24th Annual Holiday Store Opening Reception

24th Annual Holiday Store Opening Reception

Saturday 11/1/25

5:00pm - 8:00pm

Cleveland Heights’ beloved Holiday Store at Heights Arts is back for the season, opening with a festive public reception on Saturday, November 1st from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The reception will have live music, a cash bar, light snacks and a 15% discount for all Heights Arts members. A treasured tradition for both local shoppers and artists alike, the 24th Annual Holiday Store transforms the Heights Arts gallery into a vibrant marketplace filled with original, handcrafted gifts just in time for the giving season.

Close Encounters: Omni Quartet Plays Schumann and Beethoven

Close Encounters: Omni Quartet Plays Schumann and Beethoven

Sunday 11/16/25

3:00pm - 5:00pm

The acclaimed Omni Quartet returns to Close Encounters to present an afternoon of favorites including Robert Schumann’s String Quartet No. 1, a masterful study in counterpoint, and the first of Beethoven’s late quartets, a set of pieces that are arguably the finest chamber music the composer produced. Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, and the second concert in this season's series features performers Amy Lee, violin, Alicia Koelz, violin, Joanna Patterson Zakany, viola, and Tanya Ell, cello. Robert Schumann: String Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 41 No. 1 Introduzione. Andante espressivo- Allegro Scherzo presto- Intermezzo- Tempo I Adagio Presto Intermission Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 2 in a minor Op. 13 (Played instead of Beethoven Quartet No. 12) I. Adagio - Allegro Vivace II. Adagio non lento III. Intermezzo. Allegretto con moto - Allegro di molto IV. Presto - Adagio non lento This concert is generously support by Ioana Missits

No Exit & Zeitgeist at Heights Arts: An Evocation of Our Current Time

No Exit & Zeitgeist at Heights Arts: An Evocation of Our Current Time

Saturday 1/10/26

No Exit and their frequent collaborators, the St. Paul, MN-based new music ensemble Zeitgeist, present an unforgettable experience in the form of a 50 minute immersive multimedia extravaganza, An Evocation of Our Current Time. No Exit and guests will create a very different kind of sound bath via improvisation, film, artificial intelligence, environmental manipulation, lies, magic, gaslighting and other forms of chicanery...... all to serve as an outpouring of our present reality. In addition to the core members of No Exit and Zeitgeist, An Evocation of Our Current Time will also feature the talents of violinist Mari Sato, drummer Stephen Klunk, trumpeter Scott McKee, trombonist John Faieta and harpist Stephan Haluska. . As always, No Exit’s concerts are free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested. Adventurous listeners are welcome!

Reception Opening: Consider Fires, Spotlight: Josh Chefitz

Reception Opening: Consider Fires, Spotlight: Josh Chefitz

5:00pm - 8:00pm

Fire consumes. Fire cleanses. Fire transforms. It is destruction and renewal, warmth and warning, a flickering ember, and an unstoppable blaze. It is the flame of revolution, the heat of creation, the smoldering tension before ignition. It is both the light that guides and the force that devours. In this exhibition, we do not fear fire—we invoke it. We trace its edges, feed its hunger, and question its aftermath. We gather to reflect on the fires that shape us: the ones we tend, the ones we extinguish, the ones we cannot control. Artists, visionaries, storytellers—consider fire. Consider fires. What will you set ablaze? This exhibition is curated by Gina Washington and includes artists Chester Hopkins-Bey, Tanya Kaiser, Kole Robinson Brooks, Yasmeen Kwan, Aja Joi Grant, James Negron, Jeanetta Ho, Mario Tripp, Ellis Walker, Falon Walker, Mckinley Wiley, Lolita Wilson, and Leah Aki Wood. The spotlight artist is Josh Chefitz who will also be exhibiting until March 14th.

Close Encounters Open Rehearsal: The Taplin Quartet

Close Encounters Open Rehearsal: The Taplin Quartet

The Taplin Quartet rehearses repertoire for their Close Encounters concert "From East to West". Concert is on Sunday February 8th. ABOUT: Open Rehearsals provide the rare opportunity for students and adults to glimpse the process of preparing a Close Encounters performance prior to some of the concerts. This one-of-a-kind experience is not only educational but provides a deeper understanding of how performance is put together by some of the world's best musicians. Brief Q+A Session to Follow Rehearsal Please Note: The length of this event is dependent on the needs of the musicians. You may discreetly exit the event before it is complete if needed. . Winter Season Sponsors: No Exit Music Ensemble Special thanks to Cleveland Violins for underwriting this event

Close Encounters: From East to West

Close Encounters: From East to West

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Witness the debut of the Taplin Quartet as they bring listeners on a journey From East To West with a varied program including familiar favorites like Waltzing Matilda and Clair de Lune alongside Debussy’s masterful String Quartet in G Minor, Lei Liang's dramatic piece, Gobi Gloria, inspired by Mongolian music, and an elegant arrangement of a Chinese traditional song. Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, and the third concert in this season's series features performers Katherine Bormann, violin, Zhan Shu, violin, Gareth Zehngut, viola, Martha Baldwin, cello. Stephan Koncz: Waltzing Matilda Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune Lei Liang: Gobi Gloria Intermission Claude Debussy: String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10 Animé et très décidé Assez vif et bien rythmé Andantino, doucement expressif Très modéré – En animant peu à peu – Très mouvementé et avec passion Chinese Traditional, Arr. Akejian: Jasmine This concert is generously sponsored by: Bill Stigelman

ARTbar: Burning River Swing

ARTbar: Burning River Swing

Thursday 2/12/26

ARTbar creates an atmosphere like no other by mixing curated cocktails, music, art, and poetry in Heights Arts’ beautiful gallery on Lee Road. The space is transformed into a cocktail lounge setting where audience members gather to experience intimate performances in tandem with current exhibitions. . Featured Ensemble: Burning River Swing Burning River Swing is a swinging and singing jazz group from the Cleveland/Akron area. The band honors French jazz, hot jazz and swing music by musicians like Django Reinhardt, Stefan Grappelli, and Ella Fitzgerald, bringing this music back to life in the modern day. When their melodic violin, percussive guitar, walking bass lines and stellar vocals come together, they set fire to both old and new songs alike! One drink minimum. Light snacks and a limited bar including beer, wine, sparkling wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and the following curated cocktails: MANHATTAN & FRENCH 75

Ekphrastacy: "Consider Fires" & Spotlight Artist: Josh Chefitz

Ekphrastacy: "Consider Fires" & Spotlight Artist: Josh Chefitz

Thursday 2/19/26

Ekphrastacy: "Consider Fires" & Spotlight Artist: Josh Chefitz Join our new Heights Poet Laureate, Michelle R. Smith, along with guest poets, for an evening of poetry inspired by Heights Arts new 2026 exhibitions "Consider Fires" and Spotlight Artist: Josh Chefitz. The poets will offer their unique interpretations and responses to these themes through live performances. Additionally, the exhibiting artists will also share insights into their work. This popular event fills up quick so make sure to RSVP!

Gallery Concert with Mud Window Mud Mirror

Gallery Concert with Mud Window Mud Mirror

Saturday 3/7/26

Mud Window Mud Mirror - Saturday, March 7th, 2025 | 7:00-8:30pm Soprano Naomi Columna and percussionist Katalin La Favre, known as Mud Window Mud Mirror, blend early music, folk, pop, and contemporary music through bold experimentation. Their new project, Wanderings, reimagines Medieval and Renaissance works with modern percussion and voice, featuring marimba, drums, bells, and shifting vocal textures. Framed by the four seasons and multiple versions of Machaut’s Puis qu’en oubli, the program explores time, texture, and unexpected sonic worlds. Learn more about Mud Window Mud Mirror HERE Click here to see the Heights Arts 2026-2026 Music Season

Close Encounters: Bach and Beyond

Close Encounters: Bach and Beyond

3:00pm - 5:00pm

The final concert in this year’s series, Bach and Beyond, celebrates J.S. Bach’s profound and expressive chorales, arranged for string quartet, alongside Haydn’s inventive String Quartet Op. 76 No. 5 and Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 10, nicknamed the “Harp” Quartet. Close Encounters is Heights Arts’ signature Sunday afternoon chamber music series, and the fourth concert in this season's series features the Taplin Quartet, made up of musicians Katherine Bormann, violin, Zhan Shu, violin, Gareth Zehngut, viola, and Martha Baldwin, cello J.S. Bach: Chorales To be announced from the stage Joseph Haydn: String Quartet Op. 76 No. 5 in D Major Allegretto Largo – Cantabile e mesto Menuetto – Allegro Finale – Presto Intermission J.S. Bach: Chorales To be announced from the stage Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 74 in Eb Major, "Harp" Poco adagio – Allegro Adagio ma non troppo Presto – Più presto quasi Prestissimo Allegretto con variazioni This concert is generously sponsored by Rachel Rawson and Charles Cowap

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Programs and Community

Random Acts of Art

RAAL featured concerts at private homes and in partnership with community organizations, providing meaningful work for musicians in performances throughout the Cleveland area.

community outreach

With the goal of engaging and enriching local residents and organizations, Heights Arts provides programming that reaches out to connect local community with local creativity.

Heights Writes

The Heights Writes Community Team engages the local literary community to provide expertise that generates literary programs which are relevant and reflect our community.

Heights public arts youth center installation

Public Art

Heights Arts activates local spaces by collaborating with local artists and organizations in placemaking projects that beautify neighborhoods and celebrate shared identity.

Recent Experiences

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A Nonprofit Arts Organization Supporting NE OH with Exhibition Space + Gallery Shop + Concerts + Literary Programs = Community! Join us! #heightsarts

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