All University museums and cultural sites have free public access. A University-wide Campus Arts Initiative supports public art indoors and outdoors on multiple campuses.
The University Park campus houses six museums and several art galleries.
The Palmer Museum of Art is the largest art museum between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and the leading academic art museum in Pennsylvania. As part of Penn State’s mission in teaching, research, and public service, the Palmer offers free access to world-class art and programs for students, faculty, and the central Pennsylvania community. A vibrant and inclusive space, the museum inspires creativity, dialogue, and discovery through engaging exhibitions and hands-on learning experiences. Recognized nationally, the Palmer was named one of USA Today’s 10 Best New Museums of 2025
The Matson Museum of Anthropology at Penn State University is a vibrant teaching and research museum that explores the story of humankind—from our earliest ancestors to the diverse cultures of today. Located in the Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building, the museum features fascinating exhibits of fossil casts, archaeological artifacts, and cultural objects from around the world. It serves as an engaging space for students, researchers, and visitors to discover how humans have evolved, adapted, and created across time. Through its collections, educational programs, and community outreach, the Matson Museum promotes a deeper understanding of human diversity, cultural heritage, and our shared global history.
The Penn State All-Sports Museum celebrates the stories, legends, and achievements of Penn State’s intercollegiate athletics. Housed adjacent to Beaver Stadium, the museum brings to life the history of “Blue & White” athletes through curated exhibits, memorabilia, and narratives that honor the university’s sports tradition. The museum is open Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 12–4 p.m., and adjusts hours on football game weekends. It also offers group tours, Beaver Stadium tour coordination, and special events like birthday celebrations on site.
Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum and Art Gallery
The Earth & Mineral Sciences Museum & Art Gallery (EMS Museum & Art Gallery) at Penn State showcases the intersection of earth science, industry, and art. Located in the Deike Building on the University Park campus, it features exhibits drawn from the college’s research departments and the Steidle Collection of Industrial Art, which spotlight the visual and historical narratives of American industry and mineral science. The museum is free and open to the public, with summer hours Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Frost Entomological Museum at Penn State is a dynamic research museum that connects visitors to the fascinating world of insects. As part of the Department of Entomology, it maintains an active collection of over 1,000,000 arthropod specimens representing more than 15,000 species. Through public exhibits, historical artifacts, and educational programming, the Frost Museum highlights insect biology, their relationships with humans, and how entomologists expand knowledge about biodiversity.
The Pasto Agricultural Museum at Penn State invites visitors to explore the intersection of science and rural history through its rich collection of agricultural artifacts. You’ll find tools, technologies, and exhibits highlighting practices in beekeeping, planting, harvesting, and animal husbandry especially from times before electricity and engines. Located at 2710 West Pine Grove Road, Gate K, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA, the museum’s programming connects historical agricultural life with current research and environmental issues
Mascaro-Steiniger Turfgrass Museum
The Mascaro-Steiniger Turfgrass Museum at Penn State, located at the Landscape Management Research Center in University Park, houses historic turf equipment dating back to the early 1900s. Opened in 1994, the collection began with work by agronomy professor emeritus Joseph Duich and honors two turfgrass pioneers: Thomas Mascaro and Eberhard Steiniger. The museum displays early turf tractors, the first triplex greens mower, rollers, seeders, a specialized rake for golf courses, and even one of the first power lawn mowers. Visits are by appointment.
Armsby Respiration Calorimeter Museum
The Armsby Respiration Calorimeter Museum at Penn State preserves a historic scientific facility built in 1899 to measure how much energy animals derive from food—tracking respiration, feed, water intake, and excretion. Originally used for agricultural and human nutrition experiments, the lab’s final trials were conducted in 1960. Restored in 1969 by the Agriculture Alumni Association, it now operates as a museum on Penn State’s “Ag Hill,” with visits available by appointment.
The Land-Grant Frescoes in Old Main’s lobby celebrate Penn State’s heritage and mission. Painted by artist Henry Varnum Poor beginning in 1940, the murals honor the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Act and depict themes of agriculture, industry, education, and innovation. At the center stands Abraham Lincoln signing the Land-Grant Act, alongside a student planting a symbolic tree in front of the original Old Main. The surrounding panels show Penn State’s growth through mining, engineering, agriculture, student life, and academic pursuits. Originally commissioned by the Penn State Class of 1932, the frescoes span over 1,300 square feet and were expanded in the late 1940s. They were carefully restored in 2014, including cleaning, re-pigmentation, and installation of modern climate control and lighting to preserve their legacy
The Zoller Gallery at Penn State is a 2,200 sq ft exhibition space founded in 1971 and named after Edwin W. Zoller in recognition of his career as an artist and educator. It hosts exhibitions in many visual media including painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, new media, and printmaking, and offers public programming like artist lectures, installations, interdisciplinary events, and residencies. The gallery typically operates Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., during the Fall and Spring semesters.
The Center for Arts & Crafts at Penn State is a long-standing creative hub (established in the early 1970s) offering non-credit art classes and workshops year-round to students, staff, and the public. You can learn or practice pottery, painting, drawing, printmaking, stained glass, and more. Many of the classes are taught by Penn State art majors, graduate students, and local professional artists. The main facility is in 003 Ritenour Building, with the ceramics studio located in the lower level of the HUB-Robeson Center. Their mission is to provide high-quality, inclusive creative programming that responds to cultural, educational, and recreational needs
The Patterson Gallery at Penn State is a dedicated exhibition space within the Broad Street Building, serving both the School of Visual Art and University Park’s artistic community. It presents curated shows spanning contemporary art, student work, and site-specific installations across media like painting, sculpture, video, and photography. The gallery hosts receptions, talks, and collaborative projects, fostering dialogue between artists, students, and the public while enhancing the visual arts experience on campus.
The HUB-Robeson Galleries at Penn State showcase contemporary art in the heart of campus, featuring rotating exhibitions in the HUB Gallery, Art Alley, and throughout the HUB-Robeson Center. Free and open to the public, the galleries encourage exploration, creativity, and dialogue through art while welcoming class visits, student groups, and community tours. Located at 241 HUB-Robeson Center, the galleries are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering a vibrant and accessible space for students and visitors to experience diverse artistic expressions.
Eberly Family Special Collections Library Exhibition Gallery
Penn State’s Special Collections division of the Libraries preserves rare books, manuscripts, university archives, and unique research materials. It supports scholarship, teaching, and discovery by opening access to primary sources that span centuries and disciplines. Visitors, students, and researchers can explore these collections to connect directly with historical documents, cultural heritage, and archival treasures.
The Rouse Gallery at Penn State is a vibrant exhibition space operated by the School of Visual Arts. It showcases curated contemporary art across a variety of media and often hosts faculty, student, and guest-artist shows. Located within the Visual Arts complex, the gallery helps foster creative dialogue on campus by hosting receptions, lectures, and interdisciplinary events that connect art, ideas, and community.
Campuses across the Commonwealth also provide free access to museums, exhibition spaces, galleries, and works of art and artifacts.
Penn State Altoona
- The Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts includes the Paul R. and Margery Wolf-Kuhn Theatre, and the McLanahan and Sheetz Art Galleries and the Titelman Study. The Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts hosts cultural and performing art series and theater productions, as well as special events throughout the year. Gallery access is free and performances are both free and ticketed.
Penn State Harrisburg
- The Madlyn L. Hanes Library features an “Art Wall” for displaying art owned by the college and highlighting the creative works of students at Penn State Harrisburg. The “Art Wall” is located near the Reference Collection on the first floor of the library and near seating and tables.
- Collections include The Pennsylvania Center for Folklore, Holocaust and Genocide, and Women’s History.
Penn State Abington
- The Art Gallery features exhibitions and events
Penn State Berks
- The Freyberger Gallery is located on the first floor of the Perkins Student Center and features a regular schedule of exhibits by artists from around the world.
Penn State Wilkes-Barre
- The Friedman Art Gallery displays the work of students, local artists, and private art collections.
Penn State New Kensington
- The Art Gallery contracts artists for monthly gallery exhibitions featuring multi-media works of local and regional artists.
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus
- The Coal and Coke Heritage Center is centered on the bituminous coal and coke industries of southwestern Pennsylvania, with particular attention to the Connellsville Coke Region. Exhibits and display areas focus on three major themes: Coal, Coke, and Community.
Penn State Lehigh Valley
- The Ronald K De Long Gallery brings fine arts programming to the academic community and stimulates and awareness and appreciation for the visual arts.
- The Penn State Lehigh Valley Art Collection exhibits art throughout the campus to celebrate the rich artistic culture of the Lehigh Valley.
Learn more about Penn State’s progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals on the SDG Progress page HERE, and learn more about work on SDG 11 HERE.
