About this venue
Indiana University Auditorium is one of the most important performing arts venues on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington and a prominent setting for concerts, theatre productions, musicals, lectures, and university ceremonies. Opened in 1941, the monumental Indiana limestone building was conceived as a major cultural venue, while its auditorium accommodates approximately 3,200 visitors. Its large proscenium stage, historic artworks, and renowned Thomas Hart Benton murals give the building a distinctive character.
The interior is arranged across orchestra and balcony seating, providing clear views of the stage from different sections of the auditorium, while the hall is well suited acoustically to both musical and theatrical performances. A spacious lobby serves as the main gathering area before events, with amenities including a coat check, restrooms, an elevator, and concession facilities. The combination of a historic setting and modern production capabilities allows the venue to host major touring shows, concerts, and technically demanding stage productions.
The venue stands in the central part of the Indiana University campus beside Fine Arts Plaza and Showalter Fountain, at 1211 E 7th St, Bloomington, United States. The main entrance is approached across the pedestrian areas of Fine Arts Plaza; visitors attending events can use nearby campus parking garages, and shuttle transportation from more distant garages is provided for many performances, while a designated vehicle pick-up and drop-off area is located close to the Auditorium. Broader information about transportation and getting around Bloomington can be found further down this page.
About the city
Bloomington, a lively university city in the state of Indiana, is known as a hub for sports, music and cultural events, where the strong identity of Indiana University shapes much of the city's atmosphere. Visitors come throughout the year for games, concerts, theater performances and other programs, and among the most recognizable event venues are Memorial Stadium, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, IU Auditorium and Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The compact downtown, student energy and wide selection of restaurants, bars and accommodation make it easy to combine attending an event with a short city stay.
Getting around Bloomington is relatively simple thanks to Bloomington Transit, whose bus routes connect the Downtown Transit Center, downtown and the Indiana University campus; Route 1 also serves the stadium area, while the Route 6 Campus Shuttle connects important points across the campus. For most visitors arriving by air, the main gateway is Indianapolis International Airport (IND), located north of Bloomington, with rental cars and shuttle transportation available toward Bloomington and Indiana University. This combination of local buses, a walkable downtown and road connections makes it easy to reach the main sports and cultural venues without the need for complicated transfers.
Before or after an event, it is worth setting aside time for Kirkwood Avenue, the city's best-known promenade, which leads toward the Sample Gates at the entrance to the Indiana University campus, as well as for a walk around The Square in the heart of downtown. The B-Line Trail offers a pleasant way to explore the wider central area on foot or by bicycle, while the campus features distinctive limestone architecture, green spaces and cultural attractions such as the Eskenazi Museum of Art. The combination of university character, a lively downtown and events makes Bloomington a practical destination for visitors who want to combine tickets for sports or a concert with additional experiences before and after the main event.
