Our History
The Merriweather Arts and Culture Center (MACC), originally known as the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, was established in 2013. We strive to enhance arts, culture, and community in Downtown Columbia.
In 2016, MACC acquired Merriweather Post Pavilion (MPP) from the Howard Hughes Corporation and undertook a significant renovation project to modernize the venue, enhancing its stage house, fan services plazas, and seating areas, and adding features like the elevated SkyLawns. Since completing the renovations at Merriweather in 2020, MACC has launched a robust annual programming calendar that aims to strengthen our community and support Downtown Columbia’s growth as a vibrant cultural hub.
Through collaborations with key partners like the Columbia Association, the Howard County Public School System, and the Howard County Library System, MACC offers a diverse array of programs and events at Merriweather Post Pavilion, in Downtown Columbia, and throughout Howard County. These initiatives include free outdoor movie nights and concerts, arts education and learning programs, and large signature events featuring collaborations with local students and artists, as well as nationally and internationally touring performers.
These efforts, along with the overall transformation of Downtown Columbia into a dynamic area for living, working, and playing, underscore MACC's dedication to fostering a rich cultural landscape that is inclusive and accessible to all residents.
Merriweather Arts and Culture Center Timeline
2015
After years of planning and design, Merriweather Post Pavilion’s comprehensive renovation and modernization project begins with MACC playing a key role in overseeing and approving the final plans.
2013
Merriweather Arts and Culture Center (MACC) is founded as Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission (DCACC).
2016
DCACC acquires MPP from its former owner, the Howard Hughes Corporation, and continues to oversee renovations while also working with Merriweather’s long-time promoter, IMP Productions, to develop a long-term lease for the venue.
2017
Merriweather Post Pavilion celebrates its 50th birthday as MACC begins collaborating with key partners in Downtown Columbia to develop plans for new free and low cost community-inclusive programming at the venue.
2018
Renovations continue at Merriweather, with the completion of a replacement roof in time for the 2018 season. MACC continues developing inclusive and accessible programming with partners and also helps to facilitate use of Merriweather for additional community uses.
2019
The Downtown Columbia Partnership brings their Books in Bloom festival to MPP, and MACC produces its first Merriweather main stage event, a performance of Darin Atwater’s Soulful Symphony.
2020
Renovations at Merriweather are completed but the venue is closed for the year and programming canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
MACC partners with the Howard Hughes Corporation to host a series of free concerts at Color Burst Park in Merriweather District.
2022
The Howard County School System and Howard County Library host their middle school reading trivia competition “Battle of the Books” at MPP for the first time. MACC also collaborates with the Howard County Youth Orchestra to produce a concert at the James Rouse Theatre featuring student and professional musicians. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs at Merriweather for the first time in more than a decade as part of a partnership with MACC.
2023
MACC expands its partnership with HCPSS, hosting its inaugural artist residency in local schools and presenting HCYO on Merriweather’s stage for the first time with the band Guster. MACC also returns to Color Burst Park with artists of all genres for a series of free concerts, The Merriweather Teen Council is established to engage local Teens and plan new Merriweather Teen Nights which are hosted for the first time.
2024
MACC expands its programming portfolio by producing the Columbia Festival Arts’ Lakefet in June. MACC also expands staff by hiring its first Director of Programming. Established programs continue as MACC continues to work to strengthen the arts ecosystem in Downtown Columbia for the benefit of all residents.
Merriweather Arts and Culture Center Timeline
2015
After years of planning and design, Merriweather Post Pavilion’s comprehensive renovation and modernization project begins with MACC playing a key role in overseeing and approving the final plans.
2013
Merriweather Arts and Culture Center (MACC) is founded as Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission (DCACC).
2016
DCACC acquires MPP from its former owner, the Howard Hughes Corporation, and continues to oversee renovations while also working with Merriweather’s long-time promoter, IMP Productions, to develop a long-term lease for the venue.
2017
Merriweather Post Pavilion celebrates its 50th birthday as MACC begins collaborating with key partners in Downtown Columbia to develop plans for new free and low cost community-inclusive programming at the venue.
2018
Renovations continue at Merriweather, with the completion of a replacement roof in time for the 2018 season. MACC continues developing inclusive and accessible programming with partners, helping to facilitate use of Merriweather for additional community uses.
2019
The Downtown Columbia Partnership brings their Books in Bloom festival to MPP, and MACC produces its first Merriweather main stage event, a performance of Darin Atwater’s Soulful Symphony.
2020
Renovations at Merriweather are completed, but the venue is closed for the year and programming is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
MACC partners with the Howard Hughes Corporation to host a series of free concerts at Color Burst Park in Merriweather District.
2022
The Howard County School System and Howard County Library host their middle school reading trivia competition “Battle of the Books” at MPP for the first time. MACC also collaborates with the Howard County Youth Orchestra to produce a concert at the James Rouse Theatre featuring student and professional musicians. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs at Merriweather for the first time in more than a decade as part of a partnership with MACC.
2023
MACC expands its partnership with HCPSS, hosting its inaugural artist residency in local schools, and presenting HCYO on Merriweather’s stage for the first time with the band Guster. MACC also returns to Color Burst Park for a series of free concerts with artists of all genres. The Merriweather Teen Council is established to engage local Teens and plan Merriweather Teen Nights, which are hosted for the first time.
2024
MACC expands its programming portfolio by producing Columbia Festival of the Arts’ Lakefest in June. MACC also expands staff by hiring its first Director of Programming. Established programs continue as MACC works to strengthen the arts ecosystem in Downtown Columbia for the benefit of all residents.
History of Merriweather Post Pavilion
Nestled within 40 acres of parkland known as Symphony Woods in Downtown Columbia, the world-renowned Merriweather Post Pavilion has provided both artists and fans with a natural connection to each other and their environment for more than 50 years.
Artists like Jimi Hendrix, Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, and Florence + The Machine have flocked here to be surrounded by grass, trees, and good vibes in this comfortable oasis between Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC.
In fact, Jimi debuted his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner right here, and May 25th, 1969 saw the only show Led Zeppelin ever played with The Who. Attendees can also visit our one-of-a-kind Music Pinball Arcade, which celebrates Merriweather’s rich history.
Originally built to be the home of the National Symphony Orchestra, Merriweather was designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry, who is best known for defying architectural conventions. The fantastic sound system, low stage, and large video screens make this amphitheater a favorite for bands and fans alike, and the natural outdoor setting is one that can’t be matched.
Thanks to Billie Joe Armstrong, Merriweather removed the first 15 rows of seats to build a GA mosh pit for Green Day’s American Idiot tour. But it was for superstar Tom Jones that the loge sections were added, and in the early ‘80s, the lawn was regraded with 700 truckloads of dirt to form its current slope, allowing for great sight lines.
From 2015 to 2020, MACC oversaw a comprehensive renovation of the venue—the first in nearly 50 years—that has enhanced MPP’s status as a home for top-notch artistic, cultural, and entertainment events for decades to come. This renovation included major upgrades to the Merriweather stage house, backstage, fan services plazas, and seating area, as well as the creation of its new, signature “SkyLawns” featuring elevated general admission seating on grassy knolls above the pavilion’s seats.
Inspired by troubadour and environmentalist Jack Johnson, Merriweather has made a range of efforts to protect the environment, including implementing composting, installing solar panels that power the house lights, and building new structures using Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.
For more than 50 years, Merriweather Post Pavilion has produced the highest quality concerts in the region. It’s also been voted one of the country’s best outdoor amphitheaters.
For more information about concerts at Merriweather, go to MerriweatherMusic.com.