The Arboretum at Penn State
About
The Arboretum at Penn State in University Park offers a distinctive cultural experience that merges natural beauty with artistic expression. Located on the Penn State campus, this cultural center provides visitors with a unique destination that goes beyond traditional museum settings by integrating art programming with botanical landscapes and outdoor spaces. Whether you're a longtime art enthusiast or simply looking for an engaging cultural outing in University Park, The Arboretum presents an opportunity to experience creativity in a setting that feels both accessible and thoughtfully curated. The venue's commitment to serving both the university community and the broader public makes it a welcoming destination for anyone interested in exploring visual culture and natural environments. When you visit The Arboretum, you'll discover exhibitions and programming that reflect the venue's distinctive position as a cultural center connected to a living, growing landscape. The exhibitions showcase various artistic mediums and approaches, creating opportunities to encounter contemporary and traditional art in ways that often connect to themes of nature, sustainability, and the environment. The programming at The Arboretum distinguishes itself by weaving together horticultural elements with cultural offerings, allowing visitors to consider art and nature in relation to one another rather than as separate experiences. This integrated approach means that your visit encompasses more than viewing art objects alone, instead inviting you to think about creativity within a broader ecological and cultural context. Your visit to The Arboretum will likely involve moving between gallery spaces and outdoor environments, creating a varied and dynamic experience throughout your time there. The atmosphere tends toward the contemplative and exploratory, encouraging visitors to move at their own pace while discovering both artistic works and the natural features of the landscape. The space invites you to spend as much or as little time as you'd like engaging with exhibitions and surroundings. For current information about specific exhibitions, hours of operation, and any special programming or events happening during your visit, you can check the venue's website at https://arboretum.psu.edu, which will have the most up-to-date details about what to expect and how to plan your experience at this unique cultural destination.
Upcoming Exhibitions
Penn's Woods Outdoor Art Exhibition
A juried outdoor art exhibition featuring ten works of art installed throughout the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, celebrating Pennsylvania's forests through sculptural, architectural and multi-component works.