Appalachian State University / The Arts and Humanities

**UPDATE** Classes starting before 11 a.m. on Feb. 27 are canceled
**UPDATE** Classes starting before 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 are canceled. Adverse Weather Policy at Condition 2 (Suspended Operations) in effect for non-faculty until 11 a.m. Condition 1 (Reduced Operations) in effect 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. More information
Posted at 8:25am on February 27, 2020.

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

Feb
26
to
Mar
1
“Five Mile Lake” by Rachel Bonds
Department of Theatre and Dance
Feb 26 - Mar 1, 2020
A fog settles over a small town nestled on the banks of a pristine lake in Western Pennsylvania. As the play begins, the fog lifts over the lives of troubled 20-somethings, scrambling to escape the stifling weight of the past and leave naïve adolescent daydreaming for the hard work of creating lives that are meaningful.
Feb
27
Novelist Kayla Rae Whitaker – Craft Talk
Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
February 27, 2020
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm
Most writers produce work for an audience, but what steps must writers take before their work meets the world? This talk will address the craft practices and personal habits necessary to prepare manuscripts for publication.
Feb
27
Novelist Kayla Rae Whitaker
Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
February 27, 2020
7:30 pm
2019-20 Rachel Rivers-Coffey Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing Kayla Rae Whitaker returns following her fall residency to speak about her experiences in publishing and to read from her novel-in-progress.
Mar
25
Reaching New Heights: Highlights from the Most Comprehensive Science Expedition to Mt. Everest in History
Inaugural Mountain Studies Lecture Series
March 25, 2020
6:00 pm
As part of a robust effort to improve our understanding and resilience to the impacts of climate change on mountain systems, from April to June 2019, National Geographic and Tribhuvan University conducted the most comprehensive single scientific expedition to Mount Everest in history. Featuring speakers and expedition members from National Geographic & Rolex’s 2019 Perpetual Planet Extreme Expedition to Mt. Everest: Dr. Baker Perry, Aurora Elmore and Alex Tait.

Exhibitions and ongoing events

Jan
24
to
Jun
6
Lian 連 Lian 鏈 – An installation by Hui Chi Lee
Jan 24 - Jun 6, 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.”
Jan
1
to
May
31
Signs, Wonders, Blunders
Climate Stories Collaborative
Spring 2020
Various campus locations
The Climate Stories Collaborative is pleased to present “Signs, Wonders, Blunders,” a temporary public art installation commissioned from art collective Dear Climate that takes the form of a campus-wide trail marker system exploring the complexities of cross disciplinary conversations centering around climate change.
Sep
27
to
Mar
24
The Schaefer Center Presents
Fall 2019/Spring 2020
The Schaefer Center Presents series promotes the power and excitement of the live performance experience; provides a “window on the world” through the artistry of nationally and internationally renowned artists and showcases some of the finest artists of our region.
Feb
27
to
Apr
23
Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
Spring 2020
The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series, named in honor of alumna Hughlene Bostian Frank ’68, brings distinguished and up-and-coming creative writers to the Appalachian State University campus throughout the year to present lectures and discuss their works.

View more arts and humanities events

News

On a winning note — App State pianist advances to national competition
February 20, 2020
Pianist and Appalachian music performance graduate student Molly Reid ’14 will compete in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Young Artist Performance Competition in March for a top prize of $5,000.
App State grad’s theatre arts education enhanced by work ‘behind the scenes’
January 24, 2020
Appalachian alumna Glenn Ramey ’19 worked as a student part time for three years at the university’s Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. She now applies her experience and education to her position at the Explore Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Appalachian art and visual culture major illustrates the value of on-campus jobs and internship
January 14, 2020
Senior Gabrielle Knight enhances her art and visual culture major with on-campus jobs and an internship at Appalachian’s art galleries.
Lighting up the stage: How Appalachian prepared Cat Tate Starmer ’98 for an award-winning career
December 20, 2019
Hands-on experience in Appalachian’s theaters prepared Cat Tate Starmer ’98 for an award-winning career in lighting design.