Center for the Arts

Gallery Exhibitions

Born to Run 50: Photographs by Eric Meola

This exciting new exhibit celebrates the photography of Eric Meola, whose iconic photo of Springsteen and saxophonist Clarence Clemons graces the Born to Run album cover.  The free exhibit will be open to the public in Monmouth University’s Rechnitz Hall DiMattio Gallery from Friday, September 5 through December 18, 2025. See gallery hours and more here.

Gallery Exhibitions

Dennis McNett and Ben Venom: Double Trouble

Monmouth University, Department of Art & Design, in collaboration with Parlor Gallery in Asbury Park is pleased to present Double Trouble, a groundbreaking exhibition uniting the strong works of Dennis McNett (Wolfbat) and Ben Venom. McNett’s large-scale wood carvings and intricate prints stand in powerful dialogue with Venom’s punk-infused quilts and textile works. These boundary-pushing artists transform traditional techniques into bold cultural statements that challenge, provoke, and inspire.

Candlelight Concerts

Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen and The Beatles at Pollak Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight. The String Quartet has a tentative program that includes songs such as Here Comes the Sun, Yesterday, I Want to Break Free, Bohemian Rhapsody, and more!

Adult Education Series

Disco Inferno!, Part II

Class Schedule: December 11, 16, & 18, 2025 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

By the late 1970s, disco dominated the airwaves and conquered film, television, advertising, and fashion. Its ubiquity, however, led to an inevitable backlash in the form of Chicago’s infamous “Disco Demolition Night” event at Comiskey Park.  Did that signal the end of the genre?  Hardly—it merely changed labels, transforming its sound and becoming “House” or “Electronic Dance Music (EDM).”  In the present day, artists such as Dua Lipa, Beyoncé, and Sabrina Carpenter have incorporated the sound into their own music.

Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

Candlelight Concerts

Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Long Branch. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons at Pollak Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight. The String Quartet has a tentative program that includes songs such as The Scientist, Viva la Vida, Radioactive, Believer, and more!

Candlelight Concerts

Christmas Classics

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Long Branch. Get your tickets now to discover Christmas Classics at Pollak Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight. The Concertize String Quartet has a tentative program featuring both new and classic Christmas music!

Candlelight Concerts

Christmas Classics

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Long Branch. Get your tickets now to discover Christmas Classics at Pollak Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight. The Concertize String Quartet has a tentative program featuring both new and classic Christmas music!

SOLD OUT

The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD

Andrea Chénier

Giordano’s passionate tragedy stars tenor Piotr Beczała as the virtuous poet who falls victim to the intrigue and violence of the French Revolution. Following their celebrated recent partnership in Giordano’s Fedora in the 2022–23 Live in HD season, Beczała reunites with soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Chénier’s aristocratic lover, Maddalena di Coigny, with baritone Igor Golovatenko as Carlo Gérard, the agent of the Reign of Terror who seals their fates. Met Principal Guest Conductor Daniele Rustioni takes the podium to lead Nicolas Joël’s gripping staging, which will be transmitted live from the Met stage to Pollak Theatre on December 13. 

Art on Screen

Goya: Visions of Flesh and Blood

Discover the genius of Goya- Spain’s master of the modern portraiture- in this cinematic journey through the National Gallery’s landmark exhibition. This heir to Velázquez and inspiration to Picasso redefined modern art.

Please note that this event, originally scheduled for October 13, has been rescheduled to December 15. All tickets previously purchased will remain valid for the new date.

Tuesday Night Record Club

The Band, Music from Big Pink

It’s just like book club but with albums! With new advances in technology, the way we consume music through our devices, apps and on demand streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes is making the idea of the “album” as an art form extinct. Get together with other music enthusiasts on Tuesday nights to discuss some of the greatest records of all-time! Listen to the album beforehand and then come prepared to discuss. This event will feature The Band, Music from Big Pink.

Free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Candlelight Concerts

Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Queen and The Beatles at Pollak Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight. The String Quartet has a tentative program that includes songs such as Here Comes the Sun, Yesterday, I Want to Break Free, Bohemian Rhapsody, and more!

The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD

I Puritani

Giordano’s passionate tragedy stars tenor Piotr Beczała as the virtuous poet who falls victim to the intrigue and violence of the French Revolution. Following their celebrated recent partnership in Giordano’s Fedora in the 2022–23 Live in HD season, Beczała reunites with soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Chénier’s aristocratic lover, Maddalena di Coigny, with baritone Igor Golovatenko as Carlo Gérard, the agent of the Reign of Terror who seals their fates. Met Principal Guest Conductor Daniele Rustioni takes the podium to lead Nicolas Joël’s gripping staging, which will be transmitted live from the Met stage to Pollak Theatre on December 13. 

Tuesday Night Book Club

Truman Capote, In Cold Blood

Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack, each month we’ll explore a different novel. All you have to do is Zoom in and join the discussion! This week’s book is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues.  As Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers, he generates both mesmerizing suspense and astonishing empathy. In Cold Blood is a work that transcends its moment, yielding poignant insights into the nature of American violence.

Candlelight Concerts

Best of Bridgerton on Strings

Dearest Reader, Lady Whistledown has already given her verdict: the event of the season is here! Join us for a magical live music performance with Candlelight: Best of Bridgerton on Strings in Pollak Theatre. Surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight, listen to your favorite melodies from Shondaland’s ‘Bridgerton’ series on Netflix, reimagined by a talented string ensemble. Ready to make amazing memories? Get your tickets today!

Candlelight Concerts

Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Long Branch. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons at Pollak Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight. The String Quartet has a tentative program that includes songs such as The Scientist, Viva la Vida, Radioactive, Believer, and more!

Adult Education Series

Embroidery 101

Embroidery is a timeless art form of stitching that has been practiced for centuries, making it one of the oldest and most cherished folk traditions. This beginner-friendly class is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of embroidery, from selecting materials to mastering essential stitches. In this inspiring workshop, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to create your own beautiful heirlooms and works of art. Participants will explore a variety of versatile stitches to craft unique designs. Step-by-step, we’ll cover the split stitch, satin stitch, and the ever-charming French knot. Hosted by Art Coach and Teaching Artist Jenny Santa Maria, this workshop blends expert guidance with a warm, encouraging environment, making it the perfect introduction to this timeless craft. Jenny brings years of teaching experience and a passion for empowering creativity, ensuring participants leave with both skills and inspiration to continue their artistic journey.

Adult Education Series

Classic for a Reason: Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon

Join music historians Ken Womack & Kit O’Toole as they revisit classic record albums. With Classic for a Reason, Ken & Kit will take listeners on a guided tour of our history’s most enduring popular musical accomplishments.

Adult Education Series

’60s Girl Groups, Part I

Class Schedule: January 22, 27, & 29, 2026 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM

The 1960s may be remembered for the British Invasion, soul, and the birth of the Beatles and art rock. However, the early-to-mid 1960s is also known for its “girl groups,” trios or quartets singing Brill Building compositions and other pop.  Motown also perfected the girl group formula, with the Supremes reigning as one of the most successful and influential acts of the 1960s. Indeed, the girl group tradition continues today with Fifth Harmony, Blackpink, and many others.  However, the genre’s roots extend back even further, to the 1960s.

Candlelight Concerts

Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and More

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Long Branch. This concert series was created with the intention of democratizing access to classical music, and the space and performers are illuminated by thousands of candles to create a truly magical experience. The String Quartet has a tentative program that includes works such as The Four Seasons and Thaïs: Méditation.

National Theatre: Broadcast in HD

Mrs. Warren’s Profession

Mrs. Warren’s Profession
by Bernard Shaw | directed by Dominic Cooke

Five-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton (The Crown) joins forces with her real-life daughter Bessie Carter (Bridgerton) for the very first time, playing mother and daughter in Bernard Shaw’s incendiary moral classic.
Vivie Warren is a woman ahead of her time. Her mother, however, is a product of that old patriarchal order. Exploiting it has earned Mrs. Warren a fortune – but at what cost?