Summer at Towson University will feature arts and culture programs marking America’s 250th birthday, including an all women-presenting cast performing the beloved musical “1776” and free drop-in community arts projects.
The College of Fine Arts & Communication (COFAC) will present the 2026 Summer at the Center Arts Festival, “America 250: Voices of a Nation,” from June 11 through July 11, 2026, at the school’s Center for the Arts. The month-long festival will be multidisciplinary and explore the American story, which continues to evolve. Theater, dance, music, visual art, film, and community engagement will all be channels through which America’s diverse voices define the nation’s cultural landscape. Many events are free and open to the public.
This is Summer at the Center’s third year. The 2026 festival will feature performances and exhibitions by Towson University faculty, alumni, students and professional artists from across Maryland and beyond. “America 250: Voices of a Nation” aims to celebrate and affirm the power of the arts to bring people together. Organizers hope the experiences spark conversation and deepen connections within and between communities.
The festival coincides with Juneteenth and Pride Month, both of which highlight freedom, resilience, identity, artistic expression, and the importance of living in truth. Organizers hope the diverse voices gathered and perspectives presented at “America 250” sparks reflection on the stories, histories, and communities that have and continue to shape the nation.
Highlights include an already sold-out performance of “1776: The Musical” featuring a multiracial ensemble of woman-presenting actors; “Love & Trouble” dance concert by Vincent E. Thomas and VT Dance; “Give My Regards to Broadway – A Tribute to the Great American Musical” featuring Carolyn Black-Sotir and American Music Theater Artists; a free panel conversation exploring the Baltimore August Wilson Celebration and honoring the legendary playwright’s enduring legacy, and more.
Events will take place throughout the Center for the Arts, including the Mainstage Theatre, Harold J. Kaplan Concert Hall, Center for the Arts Gallery and Asian Arts Gallery. Tickets and full festival information are available at Towson University Summer at the Center.
