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Penn State College of Arts and Architecture
Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State

Penn State Students

The Center for the Performing Arts is a place for Penn State students to come together to better understand arts and culture in contemporary society, be inspired in the journey of lifelong learning, and participate in the creative community.

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Our student engagement experiences originate with opportunities for meaning-making and social bonding. We believe the ephemeral nature of the arts becomes tangible in a shared experience with others, amplified by the processes of discovery and reflection.

What if you’ve never played an instrument, leaped across the stage, spoken in front of a group, or painted a canvas? This can be the place your journey in the arts begins, continues, and evolves. Develop a firsthand appreciation and understanding of the arts through pre- and post-performance talks, master classes, lectures, and more.

Join us by:

  • Attending a Mindful Making activity. Mindful Making events are put on in partnership with Penn State Student Affairs and the Penn State Health Promotion and Wellness office. They use art as the foundation for learning about mindfulness and well-being practices. Mindful Making happens twice a month, with one event typically taking place in the Health Promotion and Wellness Center.
  • Participating in illumiNATION, a Center for the Performing Arts and Student Engagement Programs initiative that aims to create a unified Penn State community, full of responsible and inclusive citizens of the world, by encouraging creativity, practicing sustainability, and providing a welcoming and inclusive environment with illuminated object workshops and a parade. Visit our website for instructions on creating your own illuminated art, information about our art competitions, and upcoming events.
  • Working here in a wage-payroll or work-study job.
  • Interning in our Marketing and Communications or Audience Development departments.
  • Taking INART 005, a Penn State course focused on the act of experiencing the arts.
  • Checking out the Performing Arts Council for ways to get involved with student performing arts organizations on campus.

If you’re bringing a group to a performance, let us know. We want to collaborate with you. In recent seasons we have worked with students in Penn State’s Asian Classical Music Club; Indian Graduate Student Association; Ukulele Club; Discover House; FastStart; colleges of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Engineering, Business, and the Liberal Arts; and others.

Go to frequently asked questions to find answers to the questions students most commonly ask us.

Share your experiences in the arts with us at #WeArt.