Americans for the Arts has named Eureka and Arcata, California as among the 100 best Small Art Towns in America.
Morris Graves Art Museum
The Humboldt Arts Council operates the Morris Graves Museum of Art with a permanent collection and special exhibitions featuring local and regional artists.
On the evening of the first Saturday of each month, the shops in Old Town Eureka stay open late to highlight local artists at Arts Alive Eureka. Arcata does its own Arts Alive Arcata on the evening of the second Friday of each month in the shops surrounding the Arcata Plaza. After a pandemic pause, the community is again coming out to view the art, listen to live music, and share a glass of wine at the exhibitions.
Cal Poly Humboldt hosts the Reese Bullen Gallery of Art, which houses the university’s permanent collection and exhibits art from faculty and students.
Pastels on the Plaza
On the first Saturday in October the sidewalks on the Arcata Plaza become Pastels on the Plaza, a street art festival. Local groups and individuals compete as a benefit for Northcoast Children’s Services by filling each sidewalk square with community art.
For over 50 years Humboldt County has hosted what has been called the “Triathlon of the Art World”, a 3-day race over Memorial Day weekend of moving works of art over a grueling 42-mile course along land, sand, mud and even across Humboldt Bay. Other communities have copied the idea of a kinetic sculpture race, but ours was the original and is still the greatest.
The Ink People is a community organization in Eureka that sponsors and mentors local art groups and supports outreach to people who lack access to the arts. Membership provides access to community classes and studio space.
After only being available online for the past year during the pandemic, live music is again returning to our community, with appropriate precautions.
Eureka Symphony Orchestra
Our local Eureka Symphony Orchestra puts on many performances annually featuring visiting professional musicians and committed local amateurs. Go to hear Dr. Ellen Weiss, the lead oboe player, Dr. John Nelson playing with the second violins, or join the orchestra yourself.
This annual 4-day festival with over 40 bands on 8 stages is a showcase of American roots music and dance. It features jazz, blues, Western Swing and rockabilly. Come to listen or put on your dance shoes.
Join, or just go to a performance of The Humboldt Chorale which consists of 50-70 singers and is made up of Cal Poly Humboldt students and community members.
Arcata Interfaith Community Choir
For almost 30 years the Arcata Interfaith Community Choir has been spreading its mission “to inspire faith, hope, love, unity and joy through Gospel music.”
The Eureka Chamber Music Series brings nationally recognized chamber music groups to our community for intimate performances several times a year.
For 50 seasons the Ferndale Repertory Theater has brought the best of live theater to our community. We are pleased to see its return after a pandemic hiatus.
The Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theater in nearby Blue Lake offers live performances several times a year.
The Humboldt Light Opera Company offers opportunities for children and adults to join in professional quality performances.
Yes, we do have two chain multiplex movie theaters showing Hollywood first run films. However, In Arcata is the 108-year-old Minor Theater, the second oldest movie theater in the United States built for that purpose. On its 3 screening rooms it shows a mix of first run, independent and foreign films.
