Skip to main content

Special Collections in Performing Arts (SCPA)

Located in the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library (MSPAL), Special Collections in Performing Arts (SCPA) collects, serves, and preserves performing arts materials documenting performance practice, instruction, and scholarship. We are here to help you find archival sources for scholarly research, programming unique performances, or creating new works.

SCPA holds more than 450 unique archival collections related to music, dance, and theatre. Our collections are accessible to everyone — students, scholarly researchers, and the general public. Patrons can visit us and use our materials in MSPAL's Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Room. We are also able to assist patrons remotely through electronic reference and digitizing some materials.

Colorful arrat of posters, photos, and other items from the popular music collections at SCPA
Items from the popular music collections at SCPA

Week of Sunday, March 17

Sunday, March 17 Closed
Monday, March 18 Closed
Tuesday, March 19 Closed
Wednesday, March 20 Closed
Thursday, March 21 Closed
Friday, March 22 Closed
Saturday, March 23 Closed

Collection Strengths

  • Music education history
  • American band history
  • Maryland and Washington, D.C. theatre and dance
  • American theatre history and criticism
  • American popular music
  • Washington, D.C.-area punk rock
  • Repertoire for woodwinds and brass
  • UMD performing arts faculty papers

Explore and request materials from Special Collections in Performing Arts below.



Access

Our collections are open to the public and can be used in the Irving and Margery Morgan Lowens Room for Special Collections in MSPAL, Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM, barring university closures. Appointments are preferred when accessing materials, but not required.

About Our Collections

Whether you are new to the world of archives and special collections, or you just want to see what we do best, this video will introduce you to the diverse array of collections that make up SCPA.

Contact

Portrait of John Davis

John Davis

Curator, Special Collections in Performing Arts (SCPA) (Librarian II)
Portrait of Ben Jackson

Ben Jackson

Program Manager, SCPA
Back to Top