Arts & Culture

Marquette's arts and culture scene rivals its natural beauty. With fine art exhibits, local museums, symphony orchestras, and a rich iron ore history, there's much to explore. Attend an art show on the lakeshore or dive into maritime history for unforgettable experiences in the U.P.

Discover Marquette's Art Scene

Marquette Arts and Culture Center is the heartbeat of arts and culture in the region. The center provides workshops, art exhibitions, community art projects, performance events, meeting spaces for arts organizations, an arts calendar, and coordination of national and local heritage festivals. 

Devos Art Museum on the campus of Northern Michigan University exhibits rotating works of art. The museum’s permanent collection of over 1,500 objects has been collected over the past three decades and has grown to achieve an impressive range of holdings.

Immerse yourself in Marquette's art scene with First Thursdays, a monthly, self-guided tour through local art galleries and studios every first Thursday from June to October. This free-to-attend event not only features a diverse array of artwork but also includes guest pop-up artists, live art demonstrations, workshops, and entertainment.

ATTEND LOCAL ART EVENTS 

Marquette Art Week is a vibrant celebration of our city's creativity, showcasing the amazing local artists who call Marquette home. From captivating performances to immersive installations, engaging workshops, and more, there's something for everyone to discover and enjoy.

Held on the shores of Lake Superior, Art on the Rocks is one of the most popular events of the year. It's a juried art show featuring fine art, pottery, photography, and painting from talented local and regional artists. While you're here, check out Outback Art Fair down on Lakeshore for more to explore.

Explore Local Cultural Experiences

DISCOVER THE PAST AT MARQUETTE MUSEUMS 

Learn the storied maritime history of the region at Marquette Maritime Museum. Tour exhibits, including the famed Edmund Fitzgerald Shipwreck. The Marquette Maritime Museum also has one of the best collections of lighthouse lenses anywhere in the Great Lakes.

Take a trip through U.P. history at the Marquette Regional History Museum. From artifacts left by people who left their first footprints here over 11,000 years ago when the glaciers melted to authentic Ojibwe wigwam and one-of-a-kind birch bark canoes to Yooper innovation and traditions.

Explore the rugged Iron Range along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, where remnants of the region's rich mining past can be found among the beautiful natural landscapes. The trail traverses lush forests, historic mining sites, and scenic bodies of water. Whether hiking, biking, or simply soaking in the scenery, the IOHT offers an immersive experience through Marquette County's past and present.

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