CLEVELAND — University Circle, locally known as a celebrated hub of “med and ed,” can now add the designation “Best Arts District" in the country.

University Circle won the top spot in USA Today 2021 10Best Readers' Choice travel award contest. 

To determine winners in USA Today’s annual best-of contests, a 10BEST expert panel winnows down the contenders until 20 remain in categories such as arts district, lodging, destination, travel gear and other travel-related areas.

What You Need To Know

  • University Circle beat out 20 other arts districts across the nation through reader votes 

  • Covering just over a square mile, University Circle houses the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland History Center

  • moCa Cleveland, the Sculpture Center, Artists Archives of the Western Reserve and the Cleveland History Center are also in University Circle

  • With Little Italy at its eastern border, the circle has dozens of popular eateries and houses about 40 nonprofits

Then, the the voting is opened up to the public for a period of four weeks. 

In the final tally, University Circle topped the list of 10 best arts district from around the nation:

1.      University Circle in Cleveland, Ohio

2.      Northeast Minneapolis Arts District in Minneapolis, Minnesota

3.      Dallas Arts District in Dallas, Texas

4.      Arts District Houston in Houston, Texas

5.      Station North Arts District in Baltimore, Maryland

6.      Historic Third Ward in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

7.      Wynwood in Miami, Florida

8.      Wabash Arts Corridor in Chicago, Illinois

9.      Santa Fe Railyard Arts District in Santa Fe, New Mexico

10.    Warehouse Arts District in Tucson, Arizona

Covering just over a square mile, University Circle houses the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the Cleveland History Center. It also includes moCa Cleveland Contemporary Art, the Sculpture Center, Artists Archives of the Western Reserve and the Cleveland History Center. 

sculpture of a hand
"Judy’s Hand" sculpture by Tony Tasset in University Circle (photo courtesy of Olivia Gruntkowski )

“Cleveland offers an extraordinary constellation of world-class cultural institutions,” said William M. Griswold, director and president of Cleveland Museum of Art. “We very much look forward to welcoming visitors from our region and around the globe to enjoy our exhibitions and renowned collection.”

Art and music education is also available in the circle, through the Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music, Case Western Reserve and the Music Settlement.

“We hope that this attention will raise awareness far and wide, drawing even more people to Severance Hall as well as to the other world-class cultural institutions that we are honored to have as our neighbors and partners,” said Cleveland Orchestra President and CEO André Gremillet.

Fans of sculpture can view an array of sculpted art from Lake View Cemetery monuments to  “Judy’s Hand” at Uptown, “Steggie” at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History,  and “Sprouting Seeds” at Cleveland Botanical Garden.

More than 40 nonprofit organizations are located in University Circle, and with Little Italy at its eastern border, dozens of popular eateries are available as well.

The circle also features the healing arts at Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals and the VA Medical Center. 

To learn more about University Circle, visit the website.