Our Community
Arts and Culture
Come enjoy Center County's vibrant cultural scene! Catch your favorite local band at one of State College's exciting nightspots or enjoy the Nittany Valley Symphony at the Eisenhower Auditorium.
- Performing Arts
- Appreciate a live performance at beautiful venues such as the historic State Theatre or the Boal Barn Playhouse. Centre County is home to a number of local theatre groups, including the State College Community Theatre and the Penn State School of Theatre's Pennsylvania Centre Stage.
- Fine Art
- Centre County has plenty of colorful sights to delight art enthusiasts. At Penn State, the Palmer Museum of Art features the work of world-renowned artists in impressive permanent collections and rotating special exhibits. The Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania offers art classes, camps and exhibitions to members and the community.
- Festivals
- Experience local traditions at one of Centre County's annual festivals. The annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts draws thousands of people from across the state with live music, fine art and a variety of entertainment options for children. The People's Choice Festival also showcases regional arts and crafts each July in Boalsburg.
- In winter, ride in a horse-drawn buggy during Bellefonte's Victorian Christmas celebration. On New Year's Eve, Downtown State College is filled with ice sculptures and music for the First Night festival.
Local Arts & Culture Events and Organizations
| Event or Organization | Contact |
|---|---|
Music |
|
| Eisenhower Auditorium |
|
| Nittany Valley Symphony |
|
| Pennsylvania Centre Chamber Orchestra |
|
| PSU Bryce Jordan Center |
|
| State College Choral Society |
|
| State College Municipal Band | |
Performing Arts |
|
| Pennsylvania Centre Stage |
|
| State College Community Theatre |
|
| The Center For The Performing Arts |
|
Fine Art |
|
| Art Alliance |
|
| Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts |
|
| Palmer Museum of Art |
|
| Penn State HUB Art Galleries |
|
Festivals |
|
| Bellefonte Victorian Christmas | |
| Big Spring Festival and other Bellefonte Events |
|
| Centre County Grange Fair |
|
| First Night State College |
|
| Great American Fireworks Festival | |
| Heritage Days |
|
| People's Choice Festival | |
Museums and Historical Societies |
|
| Bellefonte Historical & Cultural Association |
|
| Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society |
|
| Centre County Genealogical Society | |
| Centre County Historical Society |
|
| Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion |
|
Sources
- Town & Gown's Guide to Centre County Neighborhoods 2009-2010
- Centre County Convention and Visitor's Bureau: www.visitpennstate.org
- First Night State College: www.firstnightstatecollege.com
- Palmer Museum of Art: www.palmermuseum.psu.edu
- Penn State Union and Student Activities: www.sa.psu.edu/usa/galleries
- Pennsylvania Centre Stage: www.pacentrestage.psu.edu
- Philipsburg PA: www.philipsburgpa.org
- State College Community Theatre: www.scctonline.org
- The Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania: www.artalliancepa.org
- The People's Choice Festival: www.peopleschoicefestival.com
- Victorian Bellefonte: www.victorianbellefonte.com
- www.happyvalley.com
