Appalachian State University / The Arts and Humanities

Art for Life

The Arts and Humanities at Appalachian

Appalachian 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. Appalachian’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 and Lunch & Learn
- 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

Feb
1
to
25
Black History Month
February 2023
App State will celebrate Black History Month in February 2023 to recognize the many important contributions that Black people have made to our institution, our community and our nation. This monthlong celebration will include a wide variety of activities and events.
Feb
5
Black History Month Concert
Hayes School of Music and Department of English
February 5, 2023
4:00 pm
During Black History Month this year, the Hayes School of Music and the Department of English will host the third annual concert series celebrating the contributions that African-American composers and poets have made — and continue to make — to our community, our country and our world. This concert will feature a diverse array of performances and readings, including the musical works of Margaret Bonds and Scott Joplin, as well as the literary works of Langston Hughes and Honorée Fanonne Jeffers.
Feb
7
ZUZU African Acrobats
Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
February 7, 2023
7:00 pm
ZUZU African Acrobats is a Tanzanian troupe that combines gravity-defying stunts with live music, singing, dancing and more in a passionate celebration of their niche Dar Es Salaam culture of East Africa. Their performance features human pyramids, dish spinning, unicycling and juggling, as well as pole acts, hoop diving and comedy. Free admission, open to the public
Feb
18
Mobilize the Mountains Day of Service
February 18, 2023
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
App State will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service during the Mobilize the Mountains Day of Service. Students will serve with local community partners and reflect on social issues affecting North Carolina’s High Country region. Afterward they will engage in group discussions about racial inequality and King’s impact as a servant leader.

Exhibitions and ongoing events

Feb
5
to
19
Black History Month Concerts
Hayes School of Music and Department of English
February 5 - 19, 2023
During Black History Month, the Hayes School of Music and the Department of English presents the third annual series of programs celebrating the works of African-American composers. This year, choral and vocal music will be featured. Our musical celebration includes work by familiar composers Nathanial Dett, Florence Price, and Moses Hogan as well as less familiar works by Richard Smallwood, J. Rosamund Johnson and Undine Smith Moore. Adding to this especially rich fare, the faculty presents poetry readings, chamber music and jazz.
Feb
1
to
25
Black History Month
February 2023
App State will celebrate Black History Month in February 2023 to recognize the many important contributions that Black people have made to our institution, our community and our nation. This monthlong celebration will include a wide variety of activities and events.
Feb
1
to
18
2023 MLK Commemoration
February 2023
App State will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16, in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the national holiday honoring the civil rights leader. The university’s annual MLK Day programming will take place in February this year.
Apr
1
to
30
Diversity Celebration
April 1 - 30, 2023
The Diversity Celebration is a month-long showcase where diverse perspectives, cultures and values are accepted, appreciated and celebrated. This annual campus-wide celebration also supports and enhances the university’s commitment to actively address the educational, economic, cultural and societal needs of the changing region, state, nation and world.

View more arts and humanities events

News

Cut from a different cloth: App State alumnus Mitch Purgason ’15 stitches his way to fashion’s forefront
February 14, 2022
Mountaineer alumnus Mitch Purgason ’15 stitches his way to award-winning success, designing custom clothing for professional athletes, executives and fashion influencers.
Pandemic experiences inspired Jeffrey Dean Foster’s latest album
September 24, 2021
Musician Jeffrey Dean Foster ’82, who formed his first band while a student at Appalachian State University, has released an album inspired by the pandemic.
App State and Cone Estate connection spans 100-plus years, yields academic and engagement opportunities
August 6, 2021
App State’s location in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina opens avenues of academic and civic engagement particular to the area. The university’s partnership with the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park in Blowing Rock — spanning more than a century — is a good example.
App State students design and produce award-winning wine labels — cheers!
July 26, 2021
A new family of wines developed by App State students and faculty has an award-winning look, with labels designed and printed by students in the graphic communications management program. The labels won second place in the 2021 Phoenix Challenge — a college competition between graphic communications students across North America.