25th Anniversary

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Connecting Art + Community

Heights Arts is celebrating 25 years of providing experiences for and access to emerging and professional literary, music, and visual artists in Northeast Ohio.

At the crossroads of music and visual art, creative boundaries dissolve. You might witness collaborations between a jazz quartet and a local painter, or hear spoken word poetry accompanied by ambient soundscapes.

Engage. Explore. Learn. Be Inspired.

Over the years, Heights Arts has become a cornerstone in our community, serving as a showcase for our talented citizens. Every day, we enhance what it means to live in our community by honoring emerging and professional artists through bold exhibitions, beautiful musical concerts, an inspiring gallery and storefront, and thoughtful encounters with poetry.

Heights Arts Is for Everyone

You don’t have to be an art enthusiast to explore our programs, events, and gallery exhibitions. We believe that all people — regardless of age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, background, or familiarity with creative arts — have the opportunity to showcase, get access to, and experience all forms of arts.

Orange circle with text that reads "Over 1.3 million to visual artists, musicians and poets
Blue circle with text that reads "400 plus visual artists exhibited"
Magenta Circle with text that reads "50 plus music performances"
Blue circle with text that reads "90 plus art exhibitions"
Red circle with text that reads "50 plus workshops and classes"
Green circle with text that reads "10 plus public art projects"

Get Involved

Here are a few ways to experience the Heights Arts community.

  • Visit our gallery store and browse through greeting cards, jewelry, pictures, pottery, and more.
  • Apply to our open call for musicians and visual artists.
  • View our current exhibition anytime or attend an exhibition opening event.
  • Attend an evening of inspiring poetry readings.
  • Meet new people at ARTbar, which combines music, cocktails, and art in a vibrant atmosphere.

Home to the Arts

Sparked by a city-wide visioning process in 2000 and the passion of Cleveland Heights residents, Heights Arts was established as the community center for creative arts. Over the years, we have grown into a regional presence — celebrating diversity, supporting emerging and established artists, and building an inclusive arts community. 

Art uses all of our senses. Take a moment to notice public art, hear the sounds of music, be calmed by poetry readings, or feel the vast types of materials used in visual arts.

Close Encounters Season Tickets

Secure your seat for all four concerts at discounted prices. 

Upcoming Events

Close Encounters Open Rehearsal: The Taplin Quartet
Music

Close Encounters Open Rehearsal: The Taplin Quartet

Monday 5/11/26
6:00pm
The Taplin Quartet rehearses repertoire for their Close Encounters concert "Bach and Beyond". Concert is on Sunday May 17th.   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.
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Brave New Voices Poetry Showcase, event #1
Literary

Brave New Voices Poetry Showcase, event #1

Thursday 5/14/26
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Heights Poet Laureate, Michelle R. Smith launches her community project, with Brave New Voices Poetry Showcase, a four-event series featuring live poetry readings of emerging poets.  In tribute to the long-lived Youth Speaks poetry and spoken word festival, this FREE performance showcase is an open, engaged, and inspired space for emerging adult, youth, and community poets to share their original work. This program will feature performances by Riley Fleming Gable, Damiana Jimenez, and Karim Ragab before attendees are invited to participate in an open mic open for all ages.
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Close Encounters: Bach and Beyond
Music

Close Encounters: Bach and Beyond

Sunday 5/17/26
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; Jeff Zehngut, violin; Gareth Zehngut, viola; Nora Willauer, 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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Opening Reception: Colorburst & Spotlight: Frazier and Marinelli
Opening

Opening Reception: Colorburst & Spotlight: Frazier and Marinelli

Sunday 5/24/26
3:00pm - 5:00pm
The annual Heights Arts student show is part of our high school internship program, which fosters youth leadership in the art world. Curated by Heights Arts interns Amia Frazier (senior) and Evelyn Marinelli (junior). All pieces in these exhibitions are created by students. Join us to support emerging talent in the art world, right here in our community! Colorburst Curated by our Heights High School student interns, students created projects entirely focused on color, exploring a wide range of hues to deepen their understanding of color to celebrate the richness and beauty of the world around us. Spotlight: Amia Frazier and Evelyn Marinelli Heights High School interns Amia Frazier and Evelyn Marinelli, showcase their own original artwork.
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No Exit at Heights Arts: Songs, Soundscapes, and Sonnets
Music

No Exit at Heights Arts: Songs, Soundscapes, and Sonnets

Saturday 5/30/26
7:00pm
No Exit will conclude their 2025-2026 season by delving into an array of dynamic and compelling works for voice and ensemble. Songs, Soundscapes, and Sonnets will feature the extraordinary talents of soprano Anika Kildegaard and will include world premiere music be Robert Honstein and Timothy Beyer. . As always, No Exit’s concerts are free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested. Adventurous listeners are welcome!
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Opening Reception: Beyond Perception & Spotlight: Amelia Casiano
Opening

Opening Reception: Beyond Perception & Spotlight: Amelia Casiano

Thursday 6/18/26
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Beyond Perception highlights artists whose work is shaped by lived experiences with disability. This exhibition explores how those perspectives inform and expand creative expression, inviting viewers to rethink ability, access, and ways of engaging with the world through art. In the Spotlight Gallery, Amelia Casiano presents mixed media works use vibrant palettes and layered textures to explore themes ranging from womanhood to climate change, often drawing from her Puerto Rican heritage and Cleveland upbringing. Join us to view the exhibited pieces, meet the artists, and be part of what promises to be a vibrant, well-attended celebration of contemporary art. Both exhibitions run through August 16th.
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ARTbar: Tony Cuda's Jazz Cats
Music

ARTbar: Tony Cuda's Jazz Cats

Thursday 6/25/26
7:00pm
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: Tony Cuda's Jazz Cats Tony Cuda’s Jazz Cats is a powerhouse modern jazz ensemble based in Cleveland, blending inventive composition with bold improvisation. Founded in 2010 by bassist and composer Tony Cuda, the band draws on a wide range of influences from Chick Corea and Mahavishnu Orchestra to Miles Davis and King Crimson, creating a sound that’s both progressive and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. The group features Chris Cuda (guitar), Dan Maier (keys), Jim Cirillo (saxes), and Jim Wall (drums), each bringing decades of experience across genres and stages, from jazz clubs to rock festivals.   One drink minimum. Light snacks and a limited bar including beer, wine, sparkling wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and the following curated cocktails: WATERMELON MOJITO & BEER-ITA
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Ekphrastacy: Beyond Perception & Spotlight: Amelia Casiano
Literary

Ekphrastacy: Beyond Perception & Spotlight: Amelia Casiano

Thursday 7/23/26
7:00pm
Ekphrastacy: Beyond Perception & Spotlight: Amelia Casiano 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 Beyond Perception and Spotlight Artist Amelia Casiano. 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!
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Brave New Voices Poetry Showcase, event #2
Literary

Brave New Voices Poetry Showcase, event #2

Sunday 8/9/26
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Heights Poet Laureate, Michelle R. Smith launches her community project, with Brave New Voices Poetry Showcase, a four-event series featuring live poetry readings of emerging poets.  In tribute to the long-lived Youth Speaks poetry and spoken word festival, this FREE performance showcase is an open, engaged, and inspired space for emerging adult, youth, and community poets to share their original work. This program will feature performances by Courtney L. Black, Deborah Taddeo, and Rosie Warda before attendees are invited to participate in an open mic open for all ages.
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Visit our Store

When you walk into our gallery store, there is always an element of surprise. From paintings to note cards, and sculpture to jewelry, you can find the perfect gift for a friend or yourself. We provide an cost-effective means for the art community to sell their creative products while introducing our customers to a wide variety of Northeast Ohio’s talent.

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