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

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.
Jun
28
to
30
Professional Development Opportunity: Teaching Climate Change Through Picturebooks
Mathematics and Science Education Center
June 28 - 30, 2022
8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Join the Mathematics and Science Education Center this summer as they explore how to teach about climate change using picture books and exploratory learning. Partnering with faculty across campus to explore key issues such as flooding, bee habitats, and preserving plants, teachers will explore how to teach their fourth through sixth graders about the complexities of climate change and how it impacts their lives and communities.
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.
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.

Exhibitions and ongoing events

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.
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.
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
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
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.