Campus Life
Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture
IN THIS SECTION

Experience the arts in the Heart of the Commonwealth

The Heart of the Commonwealth beats strong with a vibrant culture rooted in the arts. Animated by lively musicians and performers, rhythm is the pulse of this spirited city. Explore your soul and the city through the rich cultural offerings of Worcester:

Explore Arts-Related Academic Offerings

Major
Art
Major
Communication
Major
Theatre
Major
Visual & Performing Arts
Major
Visual & Performing Arts Education:
Minor
Composition & Music Technology
Minor
Music

Worcester State students earn arts recognitions, experiential learning this winter

A lesson in Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Professor Stacey Parker’s second-year art practicum on how to approach a gallery set a fruitful turn of events into motion for Libia Goncalves ‘26.

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Gallery seeks artists’ entries for juried fiber art exhibition

Worcester State University’s Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery has announced an open call for artists to submit entries for Interconnected: A Fiber Show, a juried exhibition that is scheduled to open on February 2, 2023 and run through March 18, 2023.

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Music students to present their fall 2022 work in “Mosaic of Music” and WSU Jazz performances

The Visual and Performing Arts Department offers the community multiple opportunities to enjoy musical performances this week on campus.

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ARTS IN (+ AROUND) THE WOO
Worcester Center for Crafts
Connecting the community through craft, the Worcester Center for Crafts is a trusted partner providing space and support for the teaching, promotion, and appreciation of craft. The Center offers studio space for classes in visual art, art history, and music composition to flourish. Whether you are interested in the arts or entrepreneurship, the Center invites you to roll up your sleeves and shape your future.
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two individuals with their backs to the camera looking at landscape paintings in golden frames hanging on the wall at the Worcester Art Museum
ARTS IN (+ AROUND) THE WOO
Worcester Art Museum Partnership
Drawing on an exceptional collection of art dating from 3,000 BC to the present, the experiences offered by the Worcester Art Museum are engaging and unforgettable. The Museum is known best for its fresh approaches to exhibition design and in-gallery teaching and its long history of studio class instruction. As a WooState student, you can enjoy free admission and discounted access to special exhibit openings.
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ARTS IN (+ AROUND) THE WOO
DeCordova Museum
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is the largest park of its kind in New England, offering a robust slate of rotating exhibitions and innovative interpretive programming in its galleries. Pique your curiosity through the Sculpture Park and Museum, where you can enjoy snowshoeing, yoga in the park, nature tours, curator and artist conversations, and many special talks, screenings, and events. A landscape of possibilities awaits you.
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A smiley-face mascot standing with it's arms spread in front of the Worcester Historical Museum
ARTS IN (+ AROUND) THE WOO
Worcester Historical Museum
Your city. Your history. Your future. Immerse yourself in the ongoing story of the innovators, investors, and everyday workers who made industry the story of Worcester. Through the eyes of local photographers, see for yourself how the face of Worcester has matured throughout the years. Feel how strong the pulse of the Heart of the Commonwealth remains.
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Samantha Bryan, Liberal Studies & History
"Worcester has a lot of art organizations and a lot of amazing food. There are a lot of very exciting conversations happening about Worcester, how can we make it an even better place to live?"
— Samantha Bryan, Liberal Studies & History
Charlotte Mullane, Health Sciences
"There is a sense of pride in the city"
— Charlotte Mullane, Health Sciences
LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCE
Enjoy the sound and splendour of live music and performance through top talent hosted in and around the Woo.
Hanover Theatre
As a world-class facility for local, national and even international performing artists, this downtown destination brings the world to central Massachusetts. The elegance of the past is made present in this magnificent theater.
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Mechanics Hall
Mechanics Hall is internationally regarded as one of the world's great concert halls for its superb acoustics and inspirational beauty. Regionally, it is considered a cultural cornerstone of Worcester.
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The Palladium
A pillar of the Worcester arts scene, the Palladium is an all-ages concert hall and performance venue known for show-stopping, standing-room-only performances from famous artists, from Fall Out Boy to 50 Cent.
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DCU Center
With about 15,000 seats, the DCU Center is an indoor convention complex and arena that has grown to be the premier Massachusetts stop for touring musical artists. A star-powered entertainment center, the DCU has hosted a variety of other events, including Stars on Ice, Professional Bull Riding, and Monster Trucks.
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An image of a street in downtown Boston that shows the opera house and ballet theater
Check out the Arts in Boston
Explore the ample offerings of Greater Boston's arts and cultural sector. What sets your heart on fire? Poetry performances? Comedy shows? Cultural festivals? ArtsBoston can connect you to that event that exceeds your expectations and your imagination.
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