WATERVILLE

Waterville is undergoing a downtown arts transformation anchored by the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, which opened in late 2024 and consolidates the city's major cultural institutions under one roof. The Waterville Opera House, a performing arts venue since 1902, connects to the new center via a glass sky bridge and continues to host theater, music, and community events.

The Waterville Opera House presents community theater, concerts, and dance in its 800-seat historic hall. The Maine Film Center (formerly Railroad Square Cinema) now operates three screens inside the Schupf Art Center, and hosts the annual Maine International Film Festival each summer. Flagship Cinemas Waterville provides mainstream movie screenings on the commercial side of town.

Waterville is a small city with outsized cultural ambition. The new arts center signals a serious investment in downtown revitalization, and the combination of Colby College's influence and community-driven programming creates a surprisingly deep calendar for a city of its size.

Tip: The Schupf Art Center on Main Street is the place to start. Check the Opera House and Maine Film Center schedules together — they are connected by a sky bridge.

Neighborhoods: Main Street • Downtown • College Avenue