Chico State University is a premier creative training ground for artists and performers across Northern California. This academic excellence makes the campus home to unique museums and galleries you won’t find anywhere else — and you don’t have to be a student to visit.
From world-class touring acts to raw student talent, here is where to find arts and culture on campus.
Science & Exploration
Gateway Science Museum
Located just a half-mile from the main campus, the Gateway Science Museum is the university’s premier window into the natural world.
While its mission is to inspire a fascination with science in children, the high-quality exhibits and rotating galleries never fail to bring out the inner explorer in adults.
It’s the perfect spot for curious minds to engage with the environment and history of the North State.
Performance & Center Stage
Laxson Auditorium
Back on campus, just steps from the bustle of Downtown Chico, Laxson Auditorium is a landmark for both the university and the larger community. With 1,200 seats, it is the largest theater in Butte County.
- What to Expect: Laxson hosts a diverse calendar, including international touring groups, guest lecturers, and major concerts.
- The Experience: It is also the home for large-scale student productions, the North State Symphony, and other professional-level experiences, making it a staple date-night destination.
Anthropology & History
Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology
Walking further into campus, you’ll discover the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology in the Meriam Library complex.
This space is a “living lab” where Museum Studies students research, design, and install three new exhibitions each year.
It offers a professional-level look at human history and culture through a uniquely student-led lens.
The Arts & Humanities Hub
The first floor of the Arts and Humanities Building serves as a concentrated “art district,” featuring three distinct galleries within steps of one another:
Janet Turner Print Museum
The Janet Turner Print Museum (“The Turner”) houses a staggering permanent collection of more than 3,500 fine art prints from 40 countries, spanning six centuries.
It is an essential stop for art historians and enthusiasts to view public exhibitions of rare and intricate print work.
MFA & Professional Galleries
The Jacki Headley University Art Gallery is a professional space that hosts exhibitions from regional, national, and international artists. It also serves as the venue for the Annual Juried Student Exhibition, showcasing the university’s top-tier talent.
The Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) Gallery is specifically dedicated to students in the MFA program. The gallery features rotating exhibitions that represent the culmination of years of graduate-level mastery.
B‑So Space: The Undergraduate Gallery
For a look at raw talent in the making, visit the B‑So Space.
This student-centered gallery is primarily used for Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) students to showcase their solo exhibitions and work from various art classes and clubs.
Whether you’re looking to be inspired by a historic print, moved by a live performance, or educated on the wonders of the natural world, Chico State offers an open door to everyone.
During your next visit to Butte County, make sure to explore these galleries. No student ID required.