Inspired by a festival in the Italian city of Spoleto, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti made Charleston home to America’s premier international performing arts festival.

From vibrant symphonic ensembles to jazzy folk performances, emerging opera singers to theater actors and dancers. For the last 45 years, attendees gather for 17 days of entertainment, with venues sprinkled throughout Charleston. Not only does this festival showcase brilliant talent, its donation-based foundation, Spoleto ETC (Engaging The Community), aims to bring together art students by offering apprenticeships and community engagement programs for those on the Autism spectrum, in hopes of keeping the passion for the arts alive.

Let the Spoleto Festival USA art inspire a summer trip to Charleston. Book your Mills House stay now.