Discover College Park’s Arts + Culture Scene

College Park has a burgeoning cultural and arts scene;  From the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center to the College Park Arts Exchange, visitors and residents alike can plug in, interact, and simply enjoy art here. Here are some of the many unique spaces to experience arts and culture in College Park:  

College Park Arts Exchange (CPAE). At its heart, CPAE builds a connected, creative community by promoting the arts and cultural activities throughout College Park.  It makes nearby artistic, cultural, creative, and educational resources available to residents of all ages and backgrounds, enhancing their quality of life and strengthening relations among the University of Maryland, the City of College Park, public schools, and other community institutions in Prince George’s County. Some of the programs CPAE support include:  

College Park Youth Choir and Vocetti: Vocetti is a group of auditioned young voices (approx. 9 – 16 years old) who will use their skills to learn more about a capella techniques, ensemble harmony, and basic music analysis through group and solo activities  

Arts Drop In:  Arts Drop In features fun, materials-based activities for children age 3-8 with their caregivers, led by Ian Rogers, a local artist and Early Childhood Educator with 30 years’ experience.

Monthly Book Club: CPAE’s virtual monthly book club reads a range of fiction books by female authors. Favorites include: Alex and Me, by Irene Pepperberg (a scientist writes about the amazing parrot she worked with for 28 years); Reading Lolita in Tehran, by Azar Nafisi (an Iranian professor of English Literature writes about her experience of the Revolution and her belief in the importance of English literature); Fun Home; Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi (another “graphic novel” by another Iranian woman).  

The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. The Clarice’s artistic variety and quality of performers leaves something for everyone to enjoy. It presents bi-annual performance seasons of music, dance, and theatre featuring visiting artists and student/faculty artists from the performing arts academic programs. 

NextNOW Fest: An inspiring arts experience that celebrates imagination, creativity and community. By amplifying the voices of intriguing, inventive artists from around campus and our community, NextNOW Fest creates a forward-looking microcosm where art transforms our future and connects us all.  

The National Orchestral Institute + Festival: A preeminent orchestral event that brings together the NOI Philharmonic for thrilling orchestral performances, master classes and dialogue.  

Jazz Jams: This new monthly jazz jam session led by D.C.-based saxophonist Elijah Balbed is hosted in collaboration with the Hall CP. Participation in our jazz jams is free–no tickets required and all levels welcome. 

The City of College Park’s abundant schedule of seasonal events, including Friday Night Live, are a part of a the distinct art scene of the larger Route 1 creative corridor. Not far from College Park is ArtWorks Now, Joe’s Movement Emporium, Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, the Gateway Arts District, and more. These institutions drive innovation, creativity, and people to visit, explore and live.