Curiosity. Creativity. Connection.
For more than 100 years, we have welcomed world-class artists, renowned scientists, and esteemed speakers to campus. Our mission is to make the arts and sciences accessible, entertaining, and inspiring through a variety of lectures, events, and performances. There’s something for everyone; we have a robust series of programs that as varied as the communities we serve, including:
Performing Arts Lovers
CaltechLive!
Coleman Chamber, and Folk Music
Watson Lecture Series
Named for the late Earnest C. Watson, who founded the series in 1922, these lectures feature speakers from Caltech and JPL, speaking on their cutting-edge research.
Signature Lectures Series – Watsons and von Kármáns
Caltech Student Group Performances
Youth Programs – Real Science, Junior Watsons
Resources for Educators (?) – Student Performances (pre-K through high school)
Special EventsPerforming Arts
The 2019-2020 season is no exception. From Chinese modern dance to an urban-rooted a cappella performance, this season's lineup celebrates diverse cultural expression and creativity.
Theodore von Kármán Lecture Series
Named after the founder of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and presented by JPL's Communications and Education Directorate, these lectures bring the excitement of the space program's missions, instruments and other technologies to both JPL employees and the local community.
Student Group Performances
Artistic talent on the Caltech campus in showcased in a wide variety of performing groups, including vocal, instrumental music, and theater.
Coleman Chamber Music Series
The nation's oldest chamber music series celebrates a rich history of bringing to the community the finest in chamber music. The concerts, sponsored by the Coleman Chamber Music Association, have been held in Caltech's Beckman Auditorium since 1965.
Folk Music at Caltech
Since 1981, the Pasadena Folk Music Society—formed by Caltech graduate students and until 2013 called the Caltech Folk Music Society—has brought performers of acoustic music from around the world to perform at Caltech.
Special Events
From school-day shows for student groups and families to remarkable summer evening concerts, from rock-climbing film festivals to Caltech's annual Commencement ceremony, special events occur throughout the year.