Life in Odessa imitates art by encouraging, promoting, and supporting participation in the arts in Odessa and Ector County. Featuring the Ellen Noël Art Museum and UTPB’s Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery, Odessa proudly boasts of high-quality cultural facilities often associated with larger cities. The people of Odessa show great appreciation for and participation in the arts and humanities through festivals, cultural events, and live performances throughout the year.

Odessa Shakespeare Festival
Elizabethan England comes to life during the Odessa Shakespeare Festival at The Globe of the Great Southwest, a recreation of Shakespeare’s original Globe Theater. The Globe also produces everything from Broadway musicals to Country and Gospel revues throughout the year. The Anne Hathaway Cottage, a replica of the home William Shakespeare built for his true love, and the Shakespeare Library round out our tribute to this remarkable period of time and the Bard himself whose works remain timeless.

Ellen Noël Art Museum
The Ellen Noël Art Museum of the Permian Basin is an independent art museum located on the campus of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The museum features rotating exhibits of historical and contemporary art, a permanent sculpture garden, and programs of art education for all ages. The Ellen Noël is one of only two museums in the state of Texas that has been named a Smithsonian affiliate.

Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center
The Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center is the brightest star in the West Texas sky. With an exterior design that combines local themes of geology and open sky, the Wagner Noël stands nearly 10 stories tall and is a visible symbol of culture, education and achievement. The Wagner Noël expands our cultural horizons with a wide range of community and regional events – from Broadway tours to performing Symphonies to ballet, opera, and musical concerts. The Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center thrills audiences of all ages.

The Permian Playhouse
The Permian Playhouse is the only community theatre in Texas that has competed and won the privilege to perform at the state Theatre Festival since 1983. It has enriched the lives of West Texas residents with music, dance, drama, suspense, tears and laughter for more than 40 years.

Midland Odessa Symphony and Chorale
The Midland Odessa Symphony and Chorale is the premier orchestra in the Permian Basin. The symphony, chorale and its various ensembles perform with world-renowned guest artists and conductors in concerts that feature classical, pops and educational programming throughout the year. Resident ensembles include the Lone Star Brass, the Strings of the West and the West Texas Winds.

American-Airpower Heritage Museum
The American-Airpower Heritage Museum is recognized for its collection of authentic World War II artifacts, memorabilia and the world’s largest collection of original aviation nose art now housed in a new gallery. The museum boasts of 40,000 square feet of “hands-on” permanent exhibits that detail the story of World War II airpower.

Presidential Archive & Leadership Library
Presidential Archive & Leadership Library is a premier museum dedicated solely to the office of the President of the United States. Permanent exhibits include the Dishong collection of First Lady miniature dolls, campaign trivia, historical documents, and the John Ben Shepperd Library of the Presidents.