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University of California, Riverside

University of California, Riverside

Change Things arts installation at UC Riverside

Arts and Culture

Ray of Light

Immerse Yourself in Our Arts and Culture

At UC Riverside, we pride ourselves on our multicultural roots 鈥 and that extends to the richness of our arts and culture scene. In fact, we鈥檙e known as the City of Arts and Innovation. Both on campus and off, we offer everything from the visual arts to literary works and musical performances. So prepare to be immersed 鈥 and inspired!

Head downtown to stimulate your senses through the array of art exhibitions, films, events, and performances at . Here, you鈥檒l find the Barbara and Art Culver Center of the Arts and the California Museum of Photography. With more than 500,000 pieces in its collection, the museum is the largest photographic center in the western United States, housing the region鈥檚 most comprehensive public camera collection.

Interior of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture

On the corner of Mission Inn Avenue and Orange Street, you can check out our newest high-profile museum, 鈥 better known as The Cheech. The museum, which opened in June 2022, is a public-private partnership between the Riverside Art Museum, the City of Riverside, and comedian Cheech Marin. Visit to view, celebrate, and learn more about Chicano art!

Photo Credit: Riverside Art Museum

Students practice 鈥淢ountain and Water Remembrance Ritual鈥 during their class, Dance as Ritual

91影视 offers a variety of dynamic programming 鈥 including dance, theater, and music 鈥 on campus and in downtown Riverside. First in the nation to offer a PhD in dance studies, today UC Riverside is the only University of California campus with PhD programs in dance and music.

91影视 Writers Week

At 91影视鈥檚 annual , the longest-running free literary event in California, you鈥檒l hear from renowned and upcoming authors. Students can also improve their literary skills through our 鈥 home to the only Bachelor of Arts in creative writing in the UC system and an MFA in creative writing and writing for the performing arts. Tom Lutz, award-winning author and founding editor-in-chief of the , is on the faculty!

Looking for more ways to engage?

Our 鈥 an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research support center 鈥 offers fellowships, research workshops, and public events to strengthen the academic, social, and creative life of the university and beyond. And through our , 91影视 students share their talents with our community via free arts outreach experiences in select schools, eldercare facilities, museums, and libraries.

On our vibrant campus, there are always opportunities to celebrate the arts and culture 鈥 from showcases by the to music festivals, film screenings, and other special events coordinated by our (ASPB).

And if you make it out to our annual Block Party, Spring Splash, or Homecoming concerts, be sure to bring your Highlander pride. You never know鈥 at some of these events you may even catch a performance by our very own .

 

Arts and Culture News

A scene from "The Cuts" showing actors Rachel Millar and Miles Anderson.
July 22, 2026
Money problems vex theater department in new short film
As the theater faculty at fictional Riverbottom College brainstorm ways to shore up their department鈥檚 faltering budget, some interesting proposals emerge. These include issuing a departmental meme coin, creating a faculty boudoir calendar, and selling blood plasma.
Students performing a stage reading
July 02, 2026
Celebrating two decades of Playworks
In a black-box theater with dark walls, bright lights, and an empty stage, student actors relied solely on their voices and expressions to bring a series of 10-minute plays to life at UC Riverside's 19th Playworks event. Covering topics ranging from the impacts of ICE and AI to experiences with grief and love, the stage readings took place in the Studio Theatre of the Arts Building. A small stage surrounded on three sides allowed the audience members and actors to observe each other in an intimate setting. 
John Jennings at arts center
June 24, 2026
Graphic novelist鈥檚 work featured in immersive exhibition
A new exhibition at a Mississippi arts and cultural center explores the work of UC Riverside professor John Jennings in centering Black characters in graphic novels. 鈥淛ohn Jennings: Build Your World,鈥 an immersive display of four of Jennings鈥 projects, opened June 20 at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, or the MAX, in Meridian, Mississippi. It will remain on view through spring 2027.
An image of space filled with stars, galaxies, and a nebula.
June 10, 2026
Consciousness likely not unique to earthlings, paper says
Does consciousness depend on flesh and blood? The answer is almost certainly no, according to Eric Schwitzgebel, a distinguished professor of philosophy at the University of California, Riverside.

 

Events