If you’re looking for a destination to enjoy fresh air and activities designed to get your heart pumping, you won’t find anything better than Park City. Whether you’re skiing in the winter, biking, hiking, or horseback riding in the summer, our little town is rich with opportunities to get active and enjoy the outdoors.
However, at the same time, Park City is a veritable mecca for artists with a full calendar of events, and extensive public and private programs designed to support a thriving art community in the region.
Whether you’re a painter, musician, dancer, filmmaker, or beyond, Park City has something for every type of person pursuing a career or hobby in the arts.
Here are our top 10 reasons why artists love Park City.
1. Sundance Film Festival
This annual event draws an international crowd to Park City each January as one of the most anticipated festivals in the area. The Sundance Institute was founded by the actor, Robert Redford in the early 1980s to lift “new voices in American storytelling.” Today, the festival serves as a platform for “groundbreaking work” and attracts audiences and artists from around the world. Here in Park City, you can feel the magnetic energy during Sundance, as both locals and visitors alike convene to appreciate the art of filmmaking.
Curious about what it’s like to experience the Sundance Film Festival? Read our Sundance Survival Guide right here.
2. Kimball Arts Festival
Beloved by artists and locals alike, the Kimball Arts Festival happens every August in Park City, attracting artists and art lovers from all over the US and worldwide. Main Street Park City turns into an open-air art gallery with over 200 artists displaying their works. In addition to the art, the festival also brings live music, artisanal food trucks, and a blind jury to judge and award artists for their work. A prize at the Kimball Arts Festival is a highly recognized accolade, and the caliber of artists who show here is truly impressive.
3. The Egyptian Theatre and Its Amazing Youth Programs
In addition to its iconic facade, the Egyptian Theatre in Park City is a “community asset” with a long history of providing memorable performances both on and off stage. Known for its inclusivity and friendly atmosphere, the Egyptian is home to numerous notable performances throughout the year and is a standard date-night event for many locals. More than that, the Egyptian Youtheatre program is a completely free arts program for children, fostering creativity, teamwork, discipline, and fun in kids of all ages. Between the camps and classes, Youtheatre kids get to experience what it’s really like to be part of a production, learning everything from puppetry, Shakespeare, musical theatre, and more!
How does Park City and Deer Valley compare to other mountain towns? Read more here:
4. Park City Institute
Park City Institute is a non-profit performing arts organization. Founded in 1998, PCI produces award-winning performances at a grand scale at the Eccles Center and more intimate performances around the city. Committed to supporting and celebrating creative and inspiring minds, PCI and the Eccles Center showcase artists and performers from a range of disciplines and backgrounds from chamber music to ballet, pop culture, improv, public speaking, and more.
You can see the latest shows in the Winter Series right here.
5. The New Arts District and Overall Ambiance
We couldn’t talk about why artists love Park City without mentioning the overall eclectic ambiance and atmosphere here. As a small, charming, and diverse town, Park City attracts people who appreciate nice things and curating a meaningful life filled with enjoyment. In general, Park City is welcoming of individuals who pursue unique activities, and our residents appreciate forward, innovative, and creative thinking that is so important to a thriving arts scene.
Park City is also home to a new Arts & Culture District, planned in partnership with MHTN Planning and Lake | Flato Architects, this 5-acre site will be home to studios, maker spaces, and facilities for visual artists, musicians, entrepreneurs, and more.
Are you looking for more reasons to love living in Park City and Deer Valley? Read these posts next:
- Beyond the Slopes: How to Enjoy Living in Park City Year-Round
- How to Spend the Perfect Day in Park City
- Things You Didn’t Know About Living in Park City and Deer Valley
6. Incredible Art Galleries on Main Street
Park City is also home to a vast number of independent art galleries on Main Street and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a traditional piece or something more contemporary, there’s a gallery with just what you’re looking for. Some of the most popular Park City galleries include:
- Park City Fine Art
- David Beavis Fine Art
- Meyer Gallery
- Lund’s Fine Art
- Trove Gallery
- Gallery MAR
- Julie Nester Gallery
Homeowners in Park City appreciate local art, and it’s common to see most homes in the region outfitted with pieces from these galleries.
7. Concerts Every Day
With concerts and shows happening almost every day, Deer Valley and Park City are practically catered to live music fans. Some of the most notable concert series throughout the calendar year include:
- Deer Valley Summer Concert Series – With shows every weekend and during the week throughout the summer, the Deer Valley Concert Series is a highly-anticipated annual event. Located at the Snow Peak Outdoor Amphitheater, this concert series is a popular evening activity for locals and visitors alike.
- Mountain Town Stages – This non-profit organization produces over 250 concerts annually and provides millions of dollars in free entertainment to the city. Supporting community partners, local venues, and offering thousands of dollars in scholarships, MTS is one of the premier live music producers in Park City.
- Park City Song Summit – With an emphasis on mental health, wellness, recovery, and inclusivity, Park City Song Summit is a different kind of music festival attracting both independent artists and big names. Happening in August, the festival features breakout locations as well as daytime and nighttime concerts.
8. Wine Tasting Events
Those who know, know. Wine tasting in and of itself is an art and these festivals draw a crowd of oenophiles (wine connoisseurs!) The Park City Wine Festival in Canyons Village is a popular autumn event with wine tasting, food, live music, and more!
There’s more to living in Park City than meets the eye! Here are some other things you should consider:
- Park City Green Initiatives You Need to Know About
- Your Guide to Schools in Park City
- What to Know About Park City HOAs
9. Public Funding For Arts Education
The Park City Education Foundation is an admirable organization committed to giving all Park City students the “opportunities and skills to successfully navigate a dynamic world.” PCEF funds eight signature programs including Elementary Visual Arts (EVA) designed to “keep art in the picture” and encourage children to think creatively and foster a sense of teamwork, curiosity, and humanity. In collaboration with the Kimball Art Center, EVA is offered at a variety of elementary schools across Park City.
10. BalletNext
Founded by Michele Wiles, the former principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, BalletNext is a “boundary-crossing platform” producing incredible dance performances. Fostering collaborations between artists, students, and institutions, BalletNext supports growing talent and showcases new works of art with “forward-focused choreography” and live music.
Do you have questions about buying or selling real estate in Park City? Get in touch with us directly by calling 435-647-8035 or emailing info@CFHparkcity.com.
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