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

Art Galleries and Special Collections
Cultural Centers and Programs
Music and Stage
Lecture Series
- The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
- Turchin Center Art Talks
- Martin & Doris Rosen Summer Symposium
- Civil War Speaker Series
- DLLC Annual International Speaker Series
- Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies Lecture Series
Community Connections
Publications and Partnerships

Upcoming events

Dec
3
Kattam and his Tam-Tams
APPlause! K-12 Performing Arts Series
December 3, 2025
10:00 am
To the sound of the n’goni, djembe, derbouka, and dhol, percussionist Kattam invites you to discover Africa, the Middle East, and India through rhythm, song, and dance! From African rap and desert dance to trance Sufi rhythm and Bollywood dance, Kattam never fails to entertain his audience. Join us as Kattam leads the way on an incredible adventure!
Dec
5
Festive First Friday Art Crawl
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
December 5, 2025
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Join us at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts every First Friday of the month as downtown Boone comes alive with creativity, community, and celebration! Explore our captivating galleries featuring contemporary art exhibitions, meet local artists, and enjoy free admission. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply looking for an inspiring night out, the Turchin Center is the perfect place to start your First Friday Art Crawl adventure.
Feb
14
Margo Price
Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
February 14, 2026
7:30 pm
For nearly a decade, Margo Price has created a lane where independent-minded, insurgent country music can exist and thrive alongside the mainstream. Now she’s back with an exquisite, timeless album that reconnects with her roots. At its core, Hard Headed Woman is about that furious instinct to never waver — especially when our values and future are so clearly on the line. It’s country music as only Price can make it: free of rules, cherishing tradition, hard headed but with a delicate beating heart.
Feb
20
Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance
Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
February 20, 2026
7:30 pm
For over 50 years, Ailey II – The Next Generation of Dance – has merged the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1974, this universally renowned company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people.

Exhibitions and ongoing events

Nov
7
to
Apr
4
Telling of the Bees: Jake Eshelman
Nov 7, 2025 - Apr 4, 2026
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
What we have, we owe to bees. Among the most prolific pollinators on the planet, bees helped create and maintain the biodiverse ecosystems that made it possible for humanity to take root and grow. Over millions of years, our shared evolution has grown increasingly intertwined. And today, human activity is impacting wild and domesticated bee populations in unprecedented ways.
Nov
7
to
Apr
4
contributing structure: SR Lejeune
Nov 7, 2025 - Apr 4, 2026
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
“A floor” can be used to refer to a group of people, connected by their residence on the same level of a building. SR Lejeune (b. 1994, Boston, MA) is an artist currently based in Pine Plains, NY. They received a BA with High Honors from Oberlin College (2015), were a Core Fellow at the Penland School of Craft (2017-19) and hold an MFA in Sculpture from the Yale School of Art (2023).
Jul
3
to
Dec
6
Threading: Contemporary Art of Thailand
Jul 3 - Dec 6, 2025
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
It is a formidable undertaking to chart the immense variety of the artists working in a single country while doing justice to our goal of reflecting their unique cultural experiences through the visual arts. In every country the artists living and working there may not have been born there, and yet they call their adopted cities and countries home. The artists represented in “Threading: Contemporary Art from Thailand,” are primarily based in Bangkok and Saen Suk, Chon Buri, Thailand.
Jun
6
to
Dec
13
Image and Music: John Cohen
Jun 6 - Dec 13, 2025
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is pleased to partner with John Cohen’s extended family and L. Parker Stephenson who represents Cohen’s musical estate, to bring an exhibition of Cohen’s Appalachian photographs to the Appalachian State University campus. The installation will be accompanied by extended programming showcasing films made by and about John Cohen as well as performances of traditional Appalachian music.

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.