Culture and the Arts in Charleston
Home to endless galleries, historic theaters, and high energy festivals, Charleston has a vibrant arts scene with so much to explore and enjoy.
World-known artists, musicians, and theater groups make frequent stops to Charleston. There are also numerous theaters and musical organizations in the area that utilize local talents for those who enjoy performance art. Charleston has a thriving creative community with many networks and classes for all skill levels. Below is a list of some of the notable creative establishments, workshops, and professional groups in the area.
Be sure to check out the Festivals page for many local celebrations that feature the arts and local artisans.
Theater & Performing Arts
North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center
Charleston Stage at the Dock Street Theatre
Woolfe Street Playhouse
South of Broadway
Pure Theatre
Footlight Players
34 West Theater Company
The Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre
Additional Live Music Venues
Charleston Music Hall
Music Farm
The Charleston Gaillard Center
Credit One Stadium
Awendaw Green
Firefly Distillery
Smaller Music Venues
The Charleston Pour House
The Royal American
The Windjammer
Forte Jazz Lounge
Prohibition
Tin Roof
The Commodore
Dance Studios & Clubs
Dance Moves of Charleston
International Ballroom Dance Studios
Holy City Dance Center
The Warehouse Dance Studio
Arthur Murray Charleston Dance Studio
Dance Conservatory of Charleston
Creative Edge Dance Center
Ballroom Dance Charleston (USA Dance Chapter #6021)
Holy City Salsa
Dance Lab
East Cooper Shag Club
Summerville Shag Club
Art Museums
The Gibbes Museum of Art
The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
History & Nature Museums
The Charleston Museum
Aiken-Rhett House Museum
International African American Museum
Nathaniel Russell House Museum
Old Slave Mart Museum
The Powder Magazine
South Carolina Historical Society Museum
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
The Mace Brown Museum of Natural History
The Historic Hunley Submarine
South Carolina Aquarium
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
Art Gallery Directories / Maps
The Charleston Gallery Association Map (Interactive)
Fine Art Galleries of Charleston (Printable Map)
First Friday Art Walk Schedule
Charleston CVB Art Gallery Directory
Creative Networks & Classes
Charleston Academy of Musical Theatre
Gibbes Museum of Art
Redux Contemporary Art Center
Charleston Center for Photography
Charleston Artist Collective
Poetry Society of South Carolina
Lowcountry Rough Writers
South Carolina Film Commission