Creativity lives in Ottawa, IL!

Sign Up for Our Monthly Newsletter & Weekly Events Updates!

Ottawa Center for the Arts

The Ottawa Center for the Arts promotes accessibility to music and the arts, fostering a vibrant community where local artists and audiences connect through engaging performances and events.

Join us for the 1st Annual Ottawa Center Legacy Gala 🎭, an evening celebrating local artists, live performances, and the community that makes creativity possible. If you would like to pay by check, please make your check out to &#39;Ottawa Center for the Arts&#39; and mail it to this P.O. Box address no later than August 8th: Ottawa Center for the Arts P.O. Box 2335 Ottawa, IL 61350, USA Your registration supports our mission to keep the arts accessible in Ottawa&mdash;through exhibitions, workshops, and space for emerging and established artists to share their work. Reserve your place, invite a friend, and help us build a lasting home for art, music, theater, and dance in our city 🎨

1st Annual Ottawa Center Legacy Gala

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at Ottawa Center for the Arts&#39;s fundraising event. It&#39;s an event like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉 Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

On the Road: Goldpine @ The Abbey

Join us at the Ottawa Center for the Arts for an evening with paleontologist and author Steve Brusatte, as he traces the story of birds from their dinosaur ancestors to the species we see today. 🦕🕊️ This event at the Abbey brings science, history, and imagination together in a vivid, accessible talk. By attending, you help our mission to make the arts and sciences open and engaging for everyone in our community. 🎨

Steve Brusatte - The Story of Birds: From Their Dinosaur Origins to Today - A View from the Abbey

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at Ottawa Center for the Arts&#39;s event. It&#39;s an event like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉 Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

Preston Klik Sound Bath @ The Abbey

Join us at The Abbey for an evening of live music with Of a Feather and The Morning Larks 🎶 Experience two local bands sharing original songs in an intimate, historic space. Your registration helps the Ottawa Center for the Arts keep performances accessible to our community and creates more chances for artists to connect with the public. Reserve your spot, bring a friend, and be part of Ottawa&rsquo;s growing arts scene. 🎨

Of a Feather & The Morning Larks @ The Abbey

Experience the Erik Olson Jazz Quintet live with &ldquo;Quintessentials,&rdquo; then step into the music yourself in our &ldquo;Intro to Improvisation!&rdquo; workshop. 🎶 This event supports the Ottawa Center for the Arts&rsquo; mission to make creative expression accessible to everyone. Reserve your seat and, if you wish, your spot in the workshop&mdash;whether you&rsquo;re a longtime jazz fan, a curious listener, or a musician ready to try something new. 🎨

Erik Olson Jazz Quintet "Quintessentials" & “Intro to Improvisation!” Workshop

Join us at The Abbey for an evening On the Road with Will Hoge 🎶 This intimate show supports Ottawa Center for the Arts&rsquo; work to keep live music and creative experiences accessible in our community. Reserve your spot using the form below. Your ticket helps us bring more performances, workshops, and local artist showcases to Ottawa 🎨 Thank you for being part of a growing home for the arts.

On the Road: Will Hoge @ The Abbey

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary with Katie Belle and the Belle Rangers at Ottawa Center for the Arts. It&#39;s an event like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉 Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

Katie Belle and the Belle Rangers at The Abbey

Join us for an intimate evening of live music as Jacob Furr and D. Anson Brody bring their songwriting and stories to The Abbey 🎶. Your presence helps the Ottawa Center for the Arts keep local music accessible and welcoming for our community. Please complete this form to reserve your spot. Your registration supports our mission to provide a platform for artists, spark creativity, and build a vibrant arts scene in Ottawa 🎨.

Jacob Furr & D. Anson Brody @ The Abbey

Join us at The Abbey for an evening with Colin Cutler &amp; BEYOND the STARS 🎶 Experience live music in an intimate setting that celebrates local talent and creative expression. Your registration supports the Ottawa Center for the Arts in building an accessible, welcoming arts community in Ottawa. Every ticket helps us host more performances, workshops, and exhibitions that connect artists and neighbors. 🎨

Colin Cutler & BEYOND the STARS @ The Abbey

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary, Ascher Taylor-Schroeder Guitar Performance at Ottawa Center for the Arts. It&#39;s an event like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉 Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

Ascher Taylor-Schroeder Guitar Performance at The Abbey

Singer-songwriter Ike Reilly has been praised by the New York Times and author Stephen King. He&rsquo;s been compared to music legends like Bob Dylan. His live shows are legendary. Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

On the Road: Ike Reilly featuring Shane Reilly @ The Abbey

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary with Trio de Chats Noirs at Ottawa Center for the Arts! It&#39;s an event like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉 Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

Trio de Chats Noirs at The Great Hall

Join us for an intimate evening of music with singer-songwriters Michelle Held and Christina Eltrevoog at The Abbey 🎶 Their storytelling and acoustic sound create the kind of close, shared experience we love to host at Ottawa Center for the Arts. Your registration helps us keep live music accessible in our community and supports our mission to provide welcoming spaces where artists and neighbors can connect through the arts 🎨

Michelle Held & Christina Eltrevoog @ The Abbey!

Step into &ldquo;Lost Pyramids at The Abbey,&rdquo; an evening of live music and atmosphere in support of Ottawa&rsquo;s growing arts community 🎶. Your registration helps the Ottawa Center for the Arts keep creative experiences accessible&mdash;bringing visual art, music, theater, and dance to neighbors of all ages. Reserve your spot today and share in a night of discovery, connection, and local talent at The Abbey 🎨.

Lost Pyramids at The Abbey

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at Ottawa Center for the Arts - On the Road Series of Concert April 24th&nbsp;with Vicki Petersen, John Cowsill &amp; Michelle Malone&nbsp; It&#39;s an event like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉 Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

On The Road: Vicki Petersen & John Cowsill, with Special Guest Michelle Malone @ The Abbey

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary The Northern Illinois University Steelband&nbsp;at Ottawa Center for the Arts&#39; The Abbey! It&#39;s an event like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉 Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

The Northern Illinois University Steelband at The Abbey

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary with DuffelBelle at the&nbsp;Ottawa Center for the Arts. It&#39;s an event like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉 Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

DuffelBelle at The Abbey

Join us at The Abbey for an evening of Dueling Pianos with Kate &amp; Justin 🎵&mdash;a live performance that brings heartfelt songwriting and rich musicianship to the heart of Ottawa&rsquo;s arts scene. Tickets ($20)Doors open &nbsp;at 6:30 PM, Show starts at 7:00 PM! Your ticket supports the Ottawa Center for the Arts&rsquo; mission to keep music and the arts accessible to everyone in our community 🎨. Reserve your spot, invite friends, and help us foster a vibrant space where local artists and audiences connect.

Dueling Pianos with Kate & Justin at The Abbey

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at Ottawa Center for the Arts. The Steve Sharp Band at The Abbey is an event like no other, and we want you to be there! 🎉 Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

The Steve Sharp Band at The Abbey

Welcome the Spring Equinox with sound and stillness at The Abbey. 🌱🎶 Join us for an evening of guided sound healing that invites you to slow down, listen deeply, and reconnect with yourself and the season. Hosted by Ottawa Center for the Arts, this event supports our mission to make arts experiences accessible and meaningful. Your registration helps nurture a creative, inclusive space where our community can gather, explore, and restore.

Sound Healing for Spring Equinox at The Abbey

Join us at The Abbey for an evening with the Ernie Hendrickson Band 🎵&mdash;a live performance that brings heartfelt songwriting and rich musicianship to the heart of Ottawa&rsquo;s arts scene. Your ticket supports the Ottawa Center for the Arts&rsquo; mission to keep music and the arts accessible to everyone in our community 🎨. Reserve your spot, invite friends, and help us foster a vibrant space where local artists and audiences connect.

Ernie Hendrickson Band at The Abbey

Step into Paris for an evening as mezzo-soprano Kate Tombaugh brings the music of Edith Piaf to life in The Great Hall 🎶. Experience timeless songs like &ldquo;La Vie en Rose&rdquo; in an intimate setting. Your registration supports the Ottawa Center for the Arts&rsquo; mission to keep live performance thriving and accessible in our community 🎭. Reserve your seats and share a night of song, story, and connection.

La Vie en Rose: Kate Tombaugh Sings Edith Piaf @ The Great Hall

Join us for &ldquo;Scott Spiezio &ndash; A View from The Abbey,&rdquo; an intimate evening exploring the baseball career of Scott Spiezio, who played 12 seasons in the major leagues with the Oakland Athletics, Anaheim Angels,Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals, winning two World Series titles with the Angels and Cardinals. Your registration helps us keep the arts accessible in Ottawa by supporting a welcoming space where artists and neighbors can connect, learn, and create together 🎭. Please complete this form to reserve your spot.

Scott Spiezio - A View from The Abbey

Celebrate a musical homecoming at The Abbey 🎶 as Tod Bowermaster returns to Ottawa with friends for an evening of live performance, stories, and connection. Your registration helps the Ottawa Center for the Arts keep local music and performance accessible to everyone. Join us to support our growing arts community, discover inspiring collaborations, and share in a night of creativity and camaraderie 🎨.

Homecoming Showcase: Tod Bowermaster & Friends @ The Abbey

Join us at The Abbey for an intimate evening with Michael McDermott and Heather Horton 🎶🎨&nbsp; &ldquo;McDermott&rsquo;s music helped me to find a part of myself that wasn&rsquo;t lost, as I had feared, but only misplaced&quot;. - Stephen King Your registration supports the Ottawa Center for the Arts in offering accessible performances and exhibitions for all. Reserve your spot to be part of a night that brings musicians, artists, and neighbors together through the arts.

On The Road: Michael McDermott and Heather Horton @ The Abbey

Join us for an evening of live jazz with Jeannie &amp; Al at The Abbey 🎶 This intimate performance supports the Ottawa Center for the Arts in its work to keep music and the arts accessible across our community. Use this form to reserve your spot and share who&rsquo;s coming with you. Your registration helps us plan seating, create a welcoming space, and continue offering performances, workshops, and creative opportunities for all. 🎨

Jeannie & Al: Jazz @ The Abbey

Sonic Saxophones @ The Abbey Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

Sonic Saxophones @ The Abbey

Join us at The Abbey for a special homecoming performance with Jeff Vezain and Jeremy Bieber 🎶 This intimate showcase supports the Ottawa Center for the Arts&rsquo; mission to keep live music and creative expression accessible in our community. Reserve your spot below to enjoy an evening of stories, songs, and connection. Your attendance helps nurture a vibrant local arts scene where artists and neighbors can meet, listen, and create together 🎨

Homecoming Showcase: Jeff Vezain & Jeremy Bieber @ The Abbey

With Frida Kahlo ~ A Woman Who Dared, Linda Marie Smith creates a work that inspires, educates, and uplifts.&nbsp; Tickets ($35)Doors Open @ 6:00, the show starts @ 7:00 Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

Linda Marie Smith "Frida Kahlo ~ A Woman Who Dared" @ The Great Hall!

Experience Aaron Kerr&#39;s Dissonant Creatures live at The Abbey 🎶 &mdash; an evening of bold, boundary‑pushing sound that invites you to listen differently and lean into curiosity. By joining us, you support the Ottawa Center for the Arts&rsquo; mission to keep creative work accessible and alive in our community. Reserve your spot below to be part of an intimate performance that celebrates experimentation, connection, and the power of live music.

Aaron Kerr's Dissonant Creatures @ The Abbey

Celebrate John Prine&rsquo;s birthday with a special &ldquo;On the Road: The Illegal Smiles&rdquo; tribute at The Abbey 🎶. Illegal Smiles will share their favorite John Prine songs in an evening of stories, humor, and heartfelt music. By purchasing tickets, you support the Ottawa Center for the Arts in keeping live music accessible and nurturing a vibrant arts community in Ottawa 🎨. Please complete this form to reserve your spot and help us plan a welcoming, comfortable night for everyone.

On the Road: The Illegal Smiles John Prine Birthday Tribute @ The Abbey

Join us in The Great Hall for &ldquo;Bernstein to Bernstein,&rdquo; an evening with vocal ensemble Canto Zenzero exploring Leonard Bernstein&rsquo;s rich musical world 🎶. This performance supports the Ottawa Center for the Arts&rsquo; mission to keep live music accessible and welcoming to all. Your registration helps us provide a warm stage for local artists and a shared space where our community can listen, learn, and experience the arts together 🎭.

"Bernstein to Bernstein" performed by Canto Zenzero @ The Great Hall

Step into the legend of &ldquo;Wild Bill&rdquo; Hickok 🎭 at our Homecoming Showcase, an evening of story, history, and performance at the Ottawa Center for the Arts. By registering, you reserve your seat for a live theatrical exploration of James Butler Hickok&rsquo;s life, brought to the stage in our intimate community setting. Your attendance supports our mission to keep the arts accessible in Ottawa and to share bold, engaging stories with our neighbors.

Homecoming Showcase: Wild Bill! An Evening with James Butler Hickok

Step into Cabaret 1900 at The Abbey for an evening of live music, stories, and laughter 🎶. Local performers bring a century of song and stage to life, from early vaudeville to modern favorites. By registering, you support the Ottawa Center for the Arts in its work to keep arts experiences accessible for everyone in our community 🎭. Reserve your spot below and be part of a shared night of music, mirth, and memory.

Cabaret 1900: A Century of Music, Mirth, and Memory @ The Abbey

On the Road: Six Mile Grove @ The Abbey! Every registration to this event will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

On the Road: Six Mile Grove @ The Abbey!

The Ottawa Center for the Arts&nbsp;is purchasing a beautiful&nbsp;Kawai KG-2D Baby Grand Piano&nbsp;for performances, educational programs, and community events in The Abbey.For a gift of&nbsp;$100&nbsp;you can sponsor one key in our community piano.Your name, family, organization, or memorial dedication will be displayed as part of our campaign and recognized as helping bring world-class music to Ottawa. Please limit your purchase to two keys so everyone can be represented. You will have the opportunity to make an additional donation when you check out. If you would like to pay by check, please make your check out to &#39;Ottawa Center for the Arts&#39; and mail it to this P.O. Box address no later than August 8th: Ottawa Center for the ArtsP.O. Box 2335Ottawa, IL 61350, USA Every contribution moves us closer to a piano that students, local musicians, and visiting artists can share. Together, we can fill our community with more music, creativity, and connection 🎨

Ottawa Center for the Arts

Ottawa Center for the Arts

Events

Events

La Vie en Rose: Kate Tombaugh Sings Edith Piaf @ The Great Hall

Get your tickets

Scott Spiezio - A View from The Abbey

Get your tickets

Homecoming Showcase: Tod Bowermaster & Friends @ The Abbey

Get your tickets

On The Road: Michael McDermott and Heather Horton @ The Abbey

Get your tickets

Jeannie & Al: Jazz @ The Abbey

Get your tickets

Sonic Saxophones @ The Abbey

Get your tickets

Homecoming Showcase: Jeff Vezain & Jeremy Bieber @ The Abbey

Get your tickets

Linda Marie Smith "Frida Kahlo ~ A Woman Who Dared" @ The Great Hall!

Get your tickets

Aaron Kerr's Dissonant Creatures @ The Abbey

Get your tickets

On the Road: The Illegal Smiles John Prine Birthday Tribute @ The Abbey

Get your tickets

"Bernstein to Bernstein" performed by Canto Zenzero @ The Great Hall

Get your tickets

Homecoming Showcase: Wild Bill! An Evening with James Butler Hickok

Get your tickets

Cabaret 1900: A Century of Music, Mirth, and Memory @ The Abbey

Get your tickets

On the Road: Six Mile Grove @ The Abbey!

Get your tickets

A Key to the Arts - Kawai KG-2D Baby Grand Piano Fundraiser

Learn more

Powered by