The Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center is Fredonia's cultural hub — a showcase for the visual and performing arts that serves not only the campus but also western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania.
With theatres, galleries, and a world-class concert hall, it's a place where creativity comes to life for students and audiences alike.
Performance & Exhibition Spaces
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Marvel Theatre – A dynamic proscenium theatre hosting plays, musicals, and student productions
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Bartlett Theatre – An intimate black box theatre for experimental and student-directed performances
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King Concert Hall – A stunning 1,100-seat venue that welcomes orchestras, touring shows, guest artists, and campus ensembles
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Marion Art Gallery – A professional gallery showcasing regional, national, and international touring exhibits
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Emmitt Christian Gallery – A dedicated space for student exhibitions and showcases
Academic Programs in Action
Rockefeller is home to Theatre & Dance and Visual Arts & New Media majors. What makes these programs stand out is the hands-on experience:
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Theatre & Dance is entirely self-sustaining, with students designing and managing every element of a production — lighting, costumes, sets, sound, choreography, and stage management.
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Visual Arts & New Media students exhibit work in professional spaces, gain curatorial experience, and collaborate with faculty artists.
Cultural Hub for Campus & Community
In addition to student productions, the Rockefeller Arts Center presents a diverse range of touring performances, professional concerts, art exhibitions, and community events.
It's a cultural destination that brings world-class talent to Fredonia, enriching both campus life and the surrounding region.
Outcomes That Matter
Graduates of programs housed in Rockefeller Arts Center go on to excel in every corner of the arts world:
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Performers, designers, directors, and technicians working in regional theatre, traveling companies, and Broadway/mainstage productions
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Visual artists and media specialists exhibiting nationally and internationally, pursuing MFAs, and working in design, animation, and digital media industries
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Educators teaching the next generation of artists and performers
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Arts leaders and entrepreneurs shaping the creative economy with skills developed through hands-on production and exhibition experiences