Skip to main content

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University
Advanced search
Information For...
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Family
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
Quick Links
  • COVID-19
  • Give
  • Maps
  • Employment
  • Library
  • AppalNet
  • AsULearn
  • A-Z
Main Menu
  • Why Choose App?
  • Visit
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • About

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.

  • Appalachian Studies

    Appalachian Studies

  • Department of Applied Design

    Department of Applied Design

  • Department of Art

    Department of Art

  • Hayes School of Music

    Hayes School of Music

  • Department of Theatre and Dance

    Department of Theatre and Dance

  • Department of English

    Department of English

  • Department of History

    Department of History

  • Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

    Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

    Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

  • Department of Philosophy and Religion

    Department of Philosophy and Religion

Venues, programs and publications

  • Art Galleries and Special Collections

    • Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
    • Smith Gallery
    • Looking Glass Gallery
    • Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition
    • Belk Library Special Collections
    • Nicholas Erneston Music Library
    • Specialized Librarians
  • Cultural Centers and Programs

    • Center for Appalachian Studies
    • Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies
    • Craft Enrichment Program
    • Watauga Residential College
  • Music and Stage

    • An Appalachian Summer Festival
    • Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS)
    • Department of Theatre and Dance performances
    • Hayes School of Music Performances
    • The Schaefer Center Presents
    • Apparel Design and Merchandising Showcase
    • Robert F Gilley Recording Studio
  • 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

    • APPlause! K-12 Performing Arts Series
    • Canon Music Camp
    • Community Music School
    • Department of Theatre and Dance’s Theatre in our Schools
    • Department of Theatre and Dance’s Cre8tive Drama Day Camp
    • STARTALK program
    • Turchin Center Arts Education & Outreach
    • Appalachian Young People's Theatre
  • Publications and Partnerships

    • The Peel
    • The Appalachian
    • Cold Mountain Review
    • Appalachian Journal
    • Digital Humanities
    • History Matters
    • Documentary Film Services
    • Split Rail Records
    • Climate Stories Collaborative

Upcoming events

  • June First Friday at the Turchin!
    Jun
    3
    June First Friday at the Turchin!

    Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

    June 3, 2022
    5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Join us on the first Friday of every month as the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) is open late as part of the Downtown Boone Art Crawl. Residents, visitors and the Appalachian State University community are invited to TCVA to experience the exhibitions featured in its six galleries.

  • An Appalachian Summer Festival
    Jul
    1
    to
    30
    An Appalachian Summer Festival
    July 1 - 30, 2022

    Presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts & Cultural Programs, 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.

  • Summer Exhibition Celebration
    Jul
    1
    Summer Exhibition Celebration

    Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

    July 1, 2022
    5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    This is an opportunity for art lovers to surround themselves with stunning artwork and meet the accomplished artists exhibiting in the galleries at the Turchin Center. Spend time with fellow community members who believe that art is something to be shared, cherished and celebrated. Experience diverse artwork by nationally and internationally renowned artists right here at the crossroads of Appalachian State University and downtown Boone.

  • Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
    Jul
    3
    Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives

    An Appalachian Summer Festival

    July 3, 2022
    7:30 pm

    Marty Stuart, the Country Music Hall of Famer and Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and musician is living, breathing country-music history. He’s played alongside the masters, from Cash to Lester Flatt as he continues to record and release keenly relevant music, with records that honor country’s rich legacy while advancing it into the future.

Exhibitions and ongoing events

  • 19th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition
    Mar
    4
    to
    Jun
    4
    19th Annual Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition
    Mar 4 - Jun 4, 2022
    Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

    Appalachian State University Outdoor Programs, Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, and Virtual Blue Ridge present the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition and Exhibition. This competition is sponsored by the Mast General Store. This competition provides both amateur and professional photographers the opportunity to showcase their interpretation of the unique character, people, places, and pursuits that distinguish the Southern Appalachians.

  • To Be & Become: Corn Wagon Thunder
    Jan
    21
    to
    Jun
    4
    To Be & Become: Corn Wagon Thunder
    Jan 21 - Jun 4, 2022
    Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

    “My photographic self-portraiture is borne of a fascination with the Existential questions ‘Who am I?’ and ‘Why am I?’. I am interested in dissecting the mode and manner of my own being... ‘To Be & Become (Lost in the Becoming)’ chronicles my journey into midlife. Becoming the thing I didn’t want to be – yet became, was becoming.” — Corn Wagon Thunder

  • 36th Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition
    May
    23
    to
    May
    14
    36th Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition
    May 23, 2022 - May 14, 2023
    Various campus locations

    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.

  • An Appalachian Summer Festival
    Jul
    1
    to
    30
    An Appalachian Summer Festival
    July 1 - 30, 2022

    Presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts & Cultural Programs, 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

  • Cut from a different cloth: App State alumnus Mitch Purgason ’15 stitches his way to fashion’s forefront
    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
    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
    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!
    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.

View more arts and humanities news

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

  • Accessibility
  • Bookstore
  • Contact Us
  • Emergency
  • Employment
  • Equal Opportunity Policy
  • Maps
  • Pay Bills
  • Policy Manual
  • Title IX

Connect

Facebook logo Twitter logo Youtube logo Insatgram logo

Connect with Appalachian's social media accounts from university programs, departments and administrative units.

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University

287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608 | 828-262-2000 | Copyright 2022 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer | Privacy | Website manager: waterworthae (wycoffdn) | Website feedback