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
15
to
19
Once Upon a Mattress
Department of Theatre and Dance
April 15 - 19, 2026
Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larken and Sir Harry to the altar? Music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer
Apr
17
April Earth Day Celebration Art Crawl
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
April 17, 2026
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Join us at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts to celebrate upcoming Earth Day 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.
Apr
17
2025-26 Climate Stories Showcase
Climate Stories Collaborative
April 17, 2026
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
This year the showcase will be a pop-up festival-style tabling event taking place in the Plemmons Student Union Solarium. Featuring presentations of student visual projects set up on tables, along with performances on the main stage of the solarium, the showcase will focus on climate themed creative projects made in the context of course-based learning experiences during the 2025-2026 academic year.
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

May
1
to
Oct
3
Etienne Charles: Earth Tones
May 1 - Oct 3, 2026
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
“Earth Tones” began as a multimedia jazz performance built around original works by composer and trumpeter Etienne Charles. Staff from the Appalachian State University Office of Arts Engagement attended the premiere and initiated conversations with Charles about expanding the single performance into a five‑month exhibition for our community.
Jun
5
to
Nov
7
Community Contours in the Southern Appalachian Mountains: Jill Pelto
Jun 5 - Nov 7, 2026
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
If every place has its unique genius loci—its distinctive (and often protective) spirit that animates place, then the southern Appalachian Mountains are no different. Indeed, the spirit of place may be more easily observed in the mountains of the Blue Ridge than other places.
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.
Jul
9
to
15
24th Annual Martin and Doris Rosen Symposium
July 9 - 15, 2026
The Martin and Doris Rosen Summer Symposium offers free, in-depth Holocaust education featuring global experts, current research and classroom-ready strategies. The program welcomes teachers, students and community members each year for this week-long event. This year’s theme, “Survivors”, honors those who continue to share their firsthand accounts and recognizes the subsequent generations now carrying their legacy forward.

View more arts and humanities events

News

The art of confidence: App State's Dr. Anthony Wilson empowers the next generation of fashion designers
April 14, 2026
Professor Dr. Anthony Wilson — a two-time App State alumnus — leverages decades of industry experience to bridge the gap between the classroom and the runway, mentoring App State’s next generation of designers. Learn how he inspires his students to make a positive impact through their creative work.
Olympic atmosphere: App State alumna Morgan Gulisano ’18 sets the stage for hospitality at the Games
March 20, 2026
App State alum Morgan Gulisano ’18 serves as operations lead for a creative team behind hospitality spaces at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Learn how App State’s commercial photography program fostered her creative lens, which she uses to lead an international design team.
Dr. Erin Peters develops virtual reality and web features for the Met's popular Egyptian exhibit
The project allows App State students to explore the intersection of art, history and technology
December 11, 2025
App State’s Dr. Erin Peters has helped bring new life to the layered history of the ancient Egyptian Temple of Dendur — the subject of the Met’s “Dendur Decoded” virtual reality experience. Her work on the project provides opportunities for App State students to explore their classroom studies in a real-world context.
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.