Ways to Enjoy the Arts in Chesterfield

By Kim Jones

Chesterfield's arts scene is easy to miss until you start looking, and then it seems to be everywhere. From outdoor sculpture and gallery openings to concerts and free museums nearby, there is something for every taste. This guide shares ways to enjoy the arts in Chesterfield, plus what that cultural life means for local homeowners.

Key Takeaways

Chesterfield Arts, founded in 1995, has helped place nearly $5 million worth of outdoor sculpture across the city since 1997.
The Gallery at Chesterfield Arts has featured new exhibits every eight weeks, with opening receptions free to the public.
The Chesterfield Amphitheater in Central Park hosts theatrical, musical, and educational events, including free community concerts.
Saint Louis Art Museum admission is free every day, and The Muny offers about 1,500 free seats at each performance.

Discover Public Art and Outdoor Sculpture

Chesterfield's public art program turns everyday errands into small gallery visits. Many pieces sit in parks and along main roads.

Sculptures and Locations to Visit

Seward Johnson's The Awakening stands next to Central Park and was a gift of The Sachs Fund to Chesterfield Arts.
Central Park also displays Ernest Trova's stainless steel Gox A and Gox B and Don Wiegand's bronze Maura, so a single walk covers several artists.
Paul Granlund's 16-foot stainless steel Orbit, C.E. Van Duzer's Century, and other works stand along Chesterfield's main roads and at local businesses.
Additional sculptures appear at City Hall, the St. Louis County Library Sachs Branch, and Eberwein Park, and City Hall hosts exhibits by regional artists.

Turn a weekend walk into a sculpture tour by mapping several pieces in one outing.

Visit Galleries and Take a Class

Chesterfield Arts and other local groups make it easy to look at art and make it yourself. Programs welcome both beginners and seasoned artists.

Creative Experiences to Try

Chesterfield Arts is a nonprofit community arts agency that promotes visual, performing, and literary arts, public art, and arts education in the West County region.
Its gallery exhibits quality work by regional professional artists, and opening receptions that are free to the public are a great way to meet the artists.
Visual arts classes have been offered for ages 4 and up, and past events have included the Arts Alive program with local music groups.
Nonprofits such as Art Unleashed have offered pottery wheel, watercolor, acrylic painting, and drawing classes, plus camps and workshops for students of all abilities.

Check each organization's website for current exhibits, classes, and locations, since programs change.

Enjoy Music, Theater, and Festivals

Live performances are a big part of Chesterfield's cultural life. Outdoor shows and indoor concerts offer very different atmospheres.

Live Performance Options

The Chesterfield Amphitheater in Central Park features a large stage with fixed and lawn seating and hosts theatrical, musical, and educational events.
Its Sounds of Summer Concert Series includes free community concerts with food trucks, and the city also sponsors movie nights.
The Chesterfield Wine and Jazz Festival has celebrated St. Louis as a birthplace of jazz with a free daylong event each June at the amphitheater.
The Factory at The District, a 3,000-capacity music venue, also presents comedy and kids' shows alongside concerts.

Look at both city calendars and venue calendars, since free events and ticketed shows are announced separately.

Take Advantage of St. Louis Arts Nearby

Chesterfield sits within easy reach of some of the region's most celebrated cultural institutions. Many of them are free or offer free options.

Big-Name Arts Within Reach

The Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park offers free admission every day, free main exhibitions on Fridays, and a collection of more than 34,000 objects.
The Muny, which opened in 1917, seats 11,000 people with about 1,500 free seats in the last nine rows, and its season runs from mid-June to mid-August.
The Fabulous Fox Theatre, which opened in 1929 and was renovated in 1982, presents more than 200 performances a year.
The Pulitzer Arts Foundation and the Contemporary Art Museum are free, and Powell Hall is the historic 1925 home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Access to this much culture is a quiet but real part of what makes Chesterfield homes appealing.

FAQs

What are the best ways to enjoy the arts in Chesterfield?

Explore public sculpture, visit Chesterfield Arts' gallery, attend concerts at the amphitheater or The Factory, and take a day trip to St. Louis museums and theaters.

Are there free arts events in Chesterfield?

Yes. Gallery opening receptions, the Sounds of Summer community concerts, and the Wine and Jazz Festival have been free to the public.

Which St. Louis arts attractions are free?

The Saint Louis Art Museum is free every day, and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation and Contemporary Art Museum are also free.

Live Where the Arts Thrive With Kim Jones

Whether you want to buy, sell, or relocate, you can rely on my 17 years of real estate experience, established networks, and abundant professional resources for a seamless process. I have received numerous awards over the years, most notably consistently ranking as the number one individual agent in my brokerage and a top 100 agent in the entire St. Louis area out of more than 10,000 ranked agents. As a highly knowledgeable and dedicated REALTOR®, I recognize and value the trust clients place in me to help them make one of the most important decisions of their lives.

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