As the birthplace of the nation's first arts council and first public arts college (UNC School of the Arts), Winston-Salem is truly an artistic trailblazer. The city pulses with creative energy at its core, starting in the vibrant Downtown Arts District, a roughly six-block stretch of downtown filled with art galleries, active studios, local shops, eateries, and more.

Take a self-guided public art tour through the Arts District, and be sure to strike a pose in Artivity on the Green, a one-of-a-kind public art park. The district also hosts the Art Crush monthly block parties every third Friday of the month.

There's plenty of inspiration waiting inside our city’s must-see museums, particularly those found along the Reynolda Mile. This includes Reynolda House, where a permanent collection of masterpieces complements national touring exhibits, and the NC Museum of Art (formerly SECCA), which features cutting-edge contemporary art in the historic 1929 estate of Hanesbrands founder James G. Hanes.

Aside from our permanent cultural offerings, Winston-Salem’s festival scene is equally dynamic, with events like the RiverRun International Film Festival, Piedmont Craftsmen Festival, and the International Black Theatre Festival drawing global attention.

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