Appalachian State University / The Arts and Humanities

Art for Life

The Arts and Humanities at App State

App State presents vibrant arts and humanities programs that enrich the cultural and intellectual climate of the campus and region. Join us for an event, performance, exhibition or workshop — you can find one almost every day of the year, for nearly every age level and interest.

By the numbers

600+

arts and humanities events on campus annually
6

free student workshops each week at the Turchin Center
10

departments offer degree tracks in arts or humanities
14

exhibition and performance venues on campus
9,000+

children in grades K-12 attend free and low-cost school matinees each year
20+

countries recently featured in arts and humanities programming, including Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Brazil, Cuba, Ukraine, Germany, Israel, Chile, Spain, Russia, Poland, South Africa and France
80

students are employed annually within the arts and humanities
30+

Arts and Education Outreach Programs connect university arts resources to a diverse audience of community arts patrons, teachers and learners

The arts and humanities offer innovative ways to learn about the world. App State’s academic programs are varied and diverse, and students have many opportunities to experience, interpret, understand, record and shape culture.

Venues, programs and publications

Upcoming events

Apr
12
Earth‑Month Cook‑In: Planet on a Plate
College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Office of Sustainability and Energy Management
April 12, 2026
5:30 pm
Community members of all ages are invited to a virtual cooking class that blends delicious food, “digestible” science, and plenty of fun. The final session of this semester’s Cooking with Purpose program will be super-sized into the first annual Earth‑Month Cook‑In: Planet on a Plate. This free, open-to-all event is hosted by Carla Ramsdell.
Apr
14
Yom HaShoah Name Reading
Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies
April 14, 2026
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Appalachian State University's Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies (CJHPS) will hold a public reading of the names of Jews murdered during the Holocaust. The program is free and open to the public, and seating will be available.
Apr
14
The Purpose and Passion of StoryCorps: Discussion and Q&A
Common Reading Program, University Forum Lecture Series
April 14, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
The Common Reading Program is delighted to welcome StoryCorps CEO Sandra Clark to App State, in conjunction with the adoption of the StoryCorps book “Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work” as the common reading book for 2025-2026. In this talk, Sandra will speak about the history, mission, and impact of StoryCorps, as well as her hope for the future, even in the face of crippling losses in federal financial support across all of American public media and broadcasting. Sandra’s talk will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
Jun
27
to
Aug
1
An Appalachian Summer Festival
Summer 2026
Presented by Appalachian State University’s Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, this annual celebration of the performing and visual arts is held every July in venues across the university campus, and features an eclectic, diverse mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film programming.

Exhibitions and ongoing events

Jan
28
to
Apr
8
Philosophy and Religious Studies in the Contemporary World
High Country Humanties and Department of Philosophy and Religion
Jan 28 - Apr 8, 2026
The series explores philosophical questions relevant to our daily lives. This series is free and open to the public.
Dec
5
to
May
2
Dear Body of Water: Gretchen Ernster Henderson
Dec 5, 2025 - May 2, 2026
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
Pause to reorient yourself to water. Consider the source: replenishing Boone, Watauga County, North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Southeastern United States. Waterways have written and rewritten this living waterscape, called by many names over time. The headwaters of the ancient New River were born millions of years ago and have flowed through countless human lifetimes. Water inscribes the landscape as a story that pools and spills and splashes in and out of range of human understandings.
May
24
to
May
10
39th Rosen Sculpture Competition and Exhibition
May 24, 2025 - May 10, 2026
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
The Rosen Sculpture Competition and Exhibition is a national juried competition presented annually by An Appalachian Summer Festival and the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts. Since its establishment by Martin and Doris Rosen in 1987, the Rosen Competition continues a tradition of showcasing contemporary American sculpture in outdoor settings across the beautiful campus of Appalachian State University.
Jun
27
to
Aug
1
An Appalachian Summer Festival
Summer 2026
Presented by Appalachian State University’s Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, this annual celebration of the performing and visual arts is held every July in venues across the university campus, and features an eclectic, diverse mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film programming.

View more arts and humanities events

News

App State and regional artists channel Helene’s impact into creative works of hope and healing
October 1, 2025
After Hurricane Helene, artists at App State and in the surrounding communities of Western North Carolina turned to creative expression for healing, hope and resilience. Learn about how they channeled the storm’s impact into creative works that included visual arts, music, writing and more.
App State spotlights achievements in research, scholarship and creative activities
2025 award recipients Tashakkori and Bell give keynotes at annual showcase
September 28, 2025
App State’s annual Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian event, held Sept. 19, highlighted faculty research and creative endeavors and featured keynote speakers Dr. Rahman Tashakkori and Dr. Joby Bell — winners of the 2025 Chancellor’s and Provost’s Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity.
App State researchers uncover hidden history at Fort Defiance
June 23, 2025
Ground-penetrating radar and App State interdisciplinary detective work have revealed 105 graves of enslaved people at Fort Defiance, adding new layers of history to the Lenoir-area landmark and confirming generations of family stories.
Appalachian Dance Ensemble marks half-century with over 500 original creative works, 5,700 participants
April 4, 2025
Since its inception in 1975, the Appalachian Dance Ensemble at App State has premiered over 500 original works — involving more than 5,700 students, faculty, guest artists and community members. Learn about the ensemble’s history and the people who have shaped it over the years.