Explore. Create. Design. Perform. Succeed.
Envision your future here. Undergraduate Degrees Graduate DegreesWe are a vibrant community of artists, performers, researchers, designers, and educators committed to making meaning, learning, traveling, experiencing, and sharing. We collaborate. We build. We act and play.
We impact lives – your life.
Pursue your passions.
The College of Arts and Architecture offers more than 30 undergraduate and 15 graduate degrees in a resource-rich setting with world-class faculty and facilities, coupled with diverse arts, performance, and design programs, all in one of the Best College Towns in America. Our alumni get amazing jobs and make a difference.



Engage with the arts!
Penn State Arts and Architecture is a comprehensive college of arts and design, presentation, and performance. Supporting and elevating our extensive academic programs, the college also holds important collections and hosts powerful performances.


The Palmer Museum of Art and the Center for Performing Arts, as well as other A&A engagement units, foster significant partnerships and connections across the University, enrich the student experience, and expand the impact of arts, design, and performance at Penn State and within the broader community.
From welcoming world-class performers and premiere performances to housing globally relevant art collections and featuring contemporary exhibitions, the College of Arts and Architecture marshals the power of art, performance, and design to deeply investigate the most significant challenges of the times. And our invitation is open to all – visit, explore, experience. Engage with the arts!
Center for the Performing Arts
The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State is unable to present public performances by artists at University Park during spring semester 2021, but the center’s series of streaming presentations, Up Close and Virtual, continues free of charge to patrons.
Learn about the evolving lineup of Up Close and Virtual presentations.
Explore the Palmer
In addition to its growing collection that spans world cultures and centuries of art, the Palmer Museum of Art – a leading cultural resource for the region – is providing a diverse array of online programming and events, plus virtual tours and exhibitions. It’s a fantastic time to experience the Palmer.
Alumni Spotlight

Alumni Spotlight
J. Ryan Ulsh
B.Des. in Graphic Design 2012J. Ryan Ulsh is a New York City-based photographer, art director and entrepreneur. He started his own successful business specializing in art direction, photography, and prop styling for beauty, fashion, and lifestyle clients, including Elle and GQ magazines, Carolina Herrera, and Urban Outfitters.



The student experience matters here.
Engage. Learn. Grow.
Thrive.
100%
100% of people are creative and have the potential to make massive impact on the world. We are here to help you realize your potential.
Faculty Spotlight

Curtis Craig
Head, Sound Design
Curtis Craig (Sound Designer, Composer, Projection Designer) Recent work: Pipeline (Cleveland Playhouse, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Detroit Public Theatre), Indecent (Denver Center Theatre Company), world premier – Dominique Morriseau’s Mud Row (People’s Light & Theatre Company), world premier – The Great Leap (Denver Center Theatre Company, Seattle Rep), The Bacchae (Classical Theatre of Harlem), How to Catch Creation (Baltimore Center Stage, Philadelphia Theatre Company). In 2017, his sound design and composition from the Denver Center production of All The Way was awarded the Silver Medal in Sound Design at the World Stage Design exposition in Taipei, Taiwan. He previously won the Gold Medal in Sound Design for Pentecost in 2009 in Seoul, South Korea. His work can be heard at www.curtiscraig.com.

Events
Go. Explore.Virtual Guest Lecture for Music 162: Michael Divino
ZOOMArt After Hours: Make Your Mark: A Celebration of Makery
ZoomNews from A&A
Clarinetist Anthony McGill performs in ‘Front Row: National’ starting April 21
Musician and activist Anthony McGill is the featured soloist in the next episode of Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s “Front Row: National.” The free virtual event begins at 7:30
World Campus student thrives in her return to school
