What's happening at Penn State? Here's a look at some of the cultural events — both in-person and virtual — open to the University and local community:
Performances
“Romantic Reflections” — 3 p.m., Jan. 18, Recital Hall, Music Building I, University Park campus. The Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra and Maestro Gerardo Edelstein present a second season concert.
Events
Martin Luther King Jr. Day events — Multiple dates and locations. Events and activities honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. will be held over the next few weeks at several Penn State campuses. The theme for 2026 is "Undaunted Hope."
“Razing Liberty Square” screening — 7 p.m., Jan. 21, Online. Sustain Penn State will host a virtual screening of the film, which explores the convergence of climate change, housing and environmental justice through the story of Liberty Square, the first segregated public housing project in the United States. Free.
Fireside chat with John Amaechi — 4 p.m., Jan. 21, Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre, Student Enrichment Center, Harrisburg campus. John Amaechi — organizational psychologist, founder of APS Intelligence, Penn State alumnus, and former NBA player — will participate in a fireside chat exploring leadership, decision-making, and the critical role mental health plays in how leaders show up for themselves and others, drawing from his book “It’s Not Magic: The Ordinary Skills of Exceptional Leaders,” an inspirational examination of the everyday practices that allow leaders to motivate, influence and create meaningful impact. Free.
Schuylkill Art Space Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and artist reception — 4:30 p.m., Jan. 22, Classroom Building, Room 100, Schuylkill campus. The event will welcome members of the campus and local community and will be held in partnership with the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the newly furnished Art Space and learn more about its role in supporting arts and culture at Penn State Schuylkill. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to remain for an artist reception and gallery talk with Ibiyinka “Ibi” Alao, whose exhibition will be on display in Art Space.
Lectures
"Sustainable Lab Consultants Program: Reducing Environmental Impacts and Energy Use in Laboratories" – Noon, Jan. 16, via Zoom. Krista Bailey, associate director for sustainable campuses, and Jack Rumery, assistant director for staff education, both of Penn State Sustainability, will discuss how an innovative evolution of the national MyGreenLabs certification program at Penn State is reducing labs’ footprint and costs while training students to be the next generation of leaders in sustainable lab management.
"A Conversation with Ayesha Rascoe" — 7 p.m., Jan. 20, Music Recital Hall, University Park campus and via livestream. This student-led conversation is part of the annual Dilemmas of Democracy series, a Schreyer signature program. Speakers examine the challenges facing modern democracy. Students will ask Ayesha Rascoe — host of NPR's "Weekend Edition Sunday" and the weekend host of "Up First" — questions about her experience as a journalist, host and NPR reporter. Following the student-led portion, there will be an audience question-and-answer session, a book signing and a dessert reception. Free.
“Written in Wind and Water? The Evolving Right to a Healthy Environment in Climate Litigation” — 11:30 a.m., Jan. 22, 117 Earth and Engineering Sciences Building, University Park campus and via Zoom. The Penn State Climate Consortium will host its next Climate Conversation Café featuring Jonathan Marks, professor of bioethics, humanities, law and philosophy at Penn State.
In-person exhibits
"My FireFlies – Creating Peacemakers in Our Region" — Through Feb. 27, Art Space, Classroom Building, Room 100, Schuylkill campus. An exhibition by Ibiyinka “Ibi” Alao, an internationally recognized artist, architect and author whose work explores themes of peace, childhood memory and renewal. He earned a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Ife in Nigeria and won first place among artists from 61 countries in the United Nations International Arts Competition. He also serves as a United Nations Arts Ambassador.
"Playing Favorites: Highlights from the Special Collections Library" — Through May 13, 104 Paterno Library, University Park campus. For this endeavor, those who teach, catalog, research, acquire, curate and describe rare book and archival materials were invited to choose one or two items to share with a wider audience — in hopes that visitors will be enraptured with the eclectic results.
"The Way I Saw It: A Photography Retrospective" — Through Aug. 1, 2027, Penn State All-Sports Museum, University Park campus. "The Way I Saw It" celebrates the work of Penn State alumnus Pat Little, who started out with The Daily Collegian and spent over three decades as a photojournalist with the Centre Daily Times, Associated Press and Reuters. Starting from a million photo negatives then narrowed down to a set of 5000 photographs, the exhibit presents a final curated collection of 100 unique and powerful images of Penn State athletes, coaches, venues and fans, shot by Little between 1977 and 2005.
Virtual exhibits and online resources
In addition to in-person events, a number of virtual exhibits and online resources are available through University departments. The Palmer Museum of Art and Penn State University Libraries offer a rotating selection of historical and artistic collections to view via their websites, as well as other online resources.