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
- Humanities Council 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

Jun
5
to
Nov
7
Unequal Scenes: Johnny Miller
Jun 5 - Nov 7, 2020
“Unequal Scenes” uses a drone to illustrate the inscribed history of the world in a new way. The scars within our urban fabric, so apparent from above, can provoke a sense of surprise, at the same time they reveal our complicity in systematic disenfranchisement.
Oct
2
Fall Exhibition Celebration
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
October 2, 2020
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Several times a year, to celebrate new exhibitions, the Turchin Center invites the public inside after hours, to “engage, discover and connect through the arts.” It’s an opportunity for art lovers to meet the artists, have some food and enjoy a cocktail while wandering one of the most exciting venues in town: a collection of seven galleries filled with a diverse mix of contemporary art from local, regional, national and international artists.
Oct
28
Appalachian Global Symposium
Office of International Education and Development
October 28, 2020
The Symposium highlights global activities engaged in by faculty, staff and students. Symposium presenters will be discussing a variety of topics including science, technology, business, education, music and politics and is an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to share their global work on a professional platform while simultaneously contributing to global learning at Appalachian. Presented in a virtual format.
Jul
2
Summer Exhibition Celebration
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
July 2, 2021
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Several times a year, to celebrate new exhibitions, the Turchin Center invites the public inside after hours, to “engage, discover and connect through the arts.” It’s an opportunity for art lovers to meet the artists, have some food and enjoy a cocktail while wandering one of the most exciting venues in town: a collection of seven galleries filled with a diverse mix of contemporary art from local, regional, national and international artists.

Exhibitions and ongoing events

Jul
10
to
Feb
6
Rain and the River: Jacklyn St. Aubyn
Jul 10, 2020 - Feb 6, 2021
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
Painter Jacklyn St. Aubyn creates a magical space in which things aren’t what they appear to be. First perceptions may be misleading. She has landscapes and interiors in mind as she works, but not in the realistic sense; rather, she conjures imaginary spaces that defy logic.
Jul
10
to
Feb
6
Afterimage Anxiety: Joshua Rose
Jul 10, 2020 - Feb 6, 2021
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
“Perhaps I am just in awe of everything when I settle down to really look at things.” Joshua Rose
Jun
5
to
Nov
7
Unequal Scenes: Johnny Miller
Jun 5 - Nov 7, 2020
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
“Unequal Scenes” uses a drone to illustrate the inscribed history of the world in a new way. The scars within our urban fabric, so apparent from above, can provoke a sense of surprise, at the same time they reveal our complicity in systematic disenfranchisement.
Jan
24
to
Sep
5
Lian 連 Lian 鏈 – An installation by Hui Chi Lee
Jan 24 - Sep 5, 2020
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
People are by nature social beings. People need other people to survive, and as such they tend to perpetually seek social interactions. However, human relationships are inherently complex and multi-faceted. The ideology of the series, Lián 連 and Liàn 鏈 begins with a pair of Chinese homophones “Lián 連 and Liàn 鏈” that, depending on the context, mean either “to connect” or “to enchain.”

View more arts and humanities events

News

A career high note — 2 App State alumni nominated for 2021 Music Educator Award
August 3, 2020
Appalachian alumni Jenny S. Lanier ’01 and Kameron L. Radford ’08 are among 216 music educators recognized nationally as quarterfinalists for the 2021 Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and Grammy Museum.
Changing up the beat — App State music classes adapt to an online score
June 30, 2020
Faculty and students in Appalachian’s Hayes School of Music adapted to online classes — experiencing music education in new creative ways.
2 App State students receive awards for creative poetry, prose on life amid COVID-19
July 29, 2020
Appalachian senior Abigail Miles and alumna Barclay Ann Blankenship ’20 are the recipients of Appalachian’s inaugural David Hodgin English Award. They will each receive a $350 scholarship and their creative works will be published in Appalachian’s literary journal, Cold Mountain Review.
Off-loom and online — App State art professor creatively approaches studio class
May 8, 2020
A move to online instruction due to COVID-19 prompted Appalachian art professor Jeana Klein and her students to think outside the loom regarding materials used in their weaving projects. Horsehair and ladies’ tights are among some of the unconventional items used.