Campus Information Center
Located in the Commons — this is the first place to go with a question.
The Commons
The Commons is UMBC’s one-stop student center, featuring a food court, restaurant, full-service bank, bookstore, performance spaces and game room. High-speed wireless technology makes it easy to plug in to the campus network and the Internet. The Commons Terrace overlooks the Olympic-size pool and is a favorite student hang-out when the weather turns warm. In addition to a regular meeting spot for lunch, the terrace is the venue for Friday afternoon concerts, ice cream socials and festivals such as Fall Frenzy, Involvement Fest and Quadmania, UMBC’s all-campus, spring festival featuring live bands.
Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena
Opened in 2018, the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena is a state-of-the-art performance and event venue like none other. Home to UMBC Athletics and #RetrieverNation, the event center hosts major concerts, high-profile events, and Commencement ceremonies. The event center seats 5,000 for sporting events and up to 6,000 for other performances.
Retriever Activities Center
The RAC is a multi-purpose recreational facility, including two gymnasiums used for indoor tennis, lacrosse and soccer as well as traditional court sports; a fitness balcony with state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment; a track for walking; indoor and outdoor swimming pools; a weight room and locker rooms. The RAC Arena is used for varsity basketball, volleyball, concerts and other special events, and seats 4,000.
Albin O. Kuhn Library
Open to the general public, the library is the visual centerpiece of the UMBC campus. It houses more than one million books and 4,200 periodical subscriptions. Its Special Collections of national significance include photography, scientific archives, science fiction, graphic satire, Marylandia and utopian literature. Internet access to services and further information on the library and gallery are available at www.umbc.edu/library. The general public may borrow books for an annual $50 fee. Call 410-455-2232 for information or 410-455-2233 for library hours, or visit umbc.edu/library.
Library Gallery
Interpretive exhibitions that showcase the library’s expansive collections of photography, rare books and other materials are on view throughout the academic year. Symposia, lectures and tours and scholarly publications complement the exhibitions. For information, visit umbc.edu/arts.
Performing Arts and Humanities Building
For PAHB event information, visit umbc.edu/arts. All venues are ADA accessible.
Earl and Darielle Linehan Concert Hall
Described The New York Times as a “stunning music hall with sumptuous acoustics,” Linehan Concert Hall seats 375 people and is the site of both professional and student performances, as well as distinguished lectures and other events. Linehan Concert Hall is equipped with Steinway concert grand pianos and cutting edge recording and performance technologies.
Proscenium Theatre
The Proscenium Theatre seats approximately 275 and is home to UMBC theatre and dance productions, as well as guest artist performances, lectures, and special events. The theatre features an expansive stage, orchestra and balcony seating, and box seats.
Dance Cube
With seating for approximately 100, the Dance Cube hosts dance performances throughout the year, and is also used for teaching, research, and special events.
Black Box Theatre
The intimate Black Box Theatre seats approximately 100 (with modular seating arrangements), and is home to UMBC Theatre productions as well as special events.
Music Box
The Music Box seats approximately 100 (with variable seating arrangements) and is home to experimental and informal music productions, the UMBC gamelan, and special events.
Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture
Located in the Fine Arts Building, the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture is a forum for research, exhibition, publication, and public programming in the fields of art, design, and visual culture, has served as one of the university’s principal exhibition spaces. For information, visit umbc.edu/arts.
UMBC Telescope
The University’s 0.81m Cassegrain telescope on the rooftop of the Physics Building is the centerpiece for monthly public lectures and tours. A selection of celestial objects and phenomena are chosen by staff and faculty members in UMBC’s Center for Space Sciences and Technology (CSST) who are on hand to answer questions. CSST is a cooperative venture between UMBC and NASA Goddard. For more information, visit observatory.umbc.edu.
Alumni House
Located at 5451 Wilkens Ave., UMBC’s Alumni House also contains the Offices of Alumni Relations and Development. The Alumni Association offers educational programs, recreational, social and cultural events, volunteer opportunities and special benefits and services for alumni. Graduates of UMBC are automatically members of the association. Call 410-455-ALUM or visit umbc.edu/alumni for more information.
Conservation and Environmental Research Areas
CERA, established in 1997, supports environmental education and conservation at UMBC. Covering approximately 45 acres, CERA has considerable ecological diversity. In addition to teaching opportunities for faculty, CERA offers a wide range of opportunities for short- and long-term research projects in a variety of disciplines. For more information, visit our sustainability office’s Explore page.
Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park
The Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park is a quiet space at the edge of the UMBC campus with 30 oak trees, granite stones and benches. The park was built to strengthen our social bonds, foster human and natural wellness, and provide a safe and accessible green space for both the campus and the surrounding communities. For more information, visit umbc.edu/cadvc.