Delaware boasts an unusually lively cultural life for a community of this size. Residents enjoy the benefits of a premier liberal arts university, a symphony orchestra, a theatre association, an annual arts festival, and a vibrant community arts center.

The Delaware County Cultural Arts Center, located in "the Arts Castle" on West Winter Street, is a community dream-come true, made possible by the support and volunteer efforts of county residents, businesses and corporations. Opened in 1989, the Center offers classes for all ages, as well as art exhibits, museum trips, lunchtime lectures, summer children's programs and special events. Classes, taught by professional artists and craftsmen, range from ballet and belly dancing, to weaving, watercolors, poetry, papermaking, acting and art appreciation.

The Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, sponsored jointly by the Delaware community and Ohio Wesleyan University, presents an annual four-concert subscription series, special children's shows and a popular outdoor 4th of July concert. The Family Christmas Concerts attract standing-room-only holiday crowds.

The Delaware Community Chorus, Silver Phoenix Theatre Company and the Strand Theatre film series provide a variety of cultural events for the community.

The annual Spring Arts Festival brings craftsmen from throughout Ohio to the sidewalks of downtown Delaware for a weekend of craft displays and demonstrations each May.

Ohio Wesleyan's Performing Arts / Lecture Series brings acclaimed performers to town for events ranging from classical to contemporary -- chamber orchestras, Broadway touring companies, laser light shows and all the arts in between. The University's National Colloquium sponsors weekly lectures on major public issues. Speakers have included Senator John Glenn, William Sloan Coffin, Dr. C. Everett Coop, Ralph Nader, and Mike Farrell, among others.

Columbus, of course, is a major cultural center. Resident arts organizations include, among others, BalletMet, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Opera Columbus, Contemporary American Theater Company and the Columbus Museum of Art. Downtown Columbus puts three major stages -- the Ohio Theatre, the Palace Theater and the Capitol Theatre in the Verne Riffe Center -- within a 45-minute drive of Delaware. Arts offerings at The Wexner Center and Ohio State further enrich the local cultural mix. Polaris Amphitheater is a state-of-the-art, open-air 20,000 capacity concert facility which hosts national and regional touring artists, and is located within minutes of the city of Delaware.

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