Appalachian State University / The Arts and Humanities

Art for Life

The Arts and Humanities at App State

App State 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. App State’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

Sep
28
to
30
First Year Showcase
Department of Theatre and Dance
September 28 - 30, 2023
First Year Showcase connects first-year and transfer students with upper-level classmen and faculty/staff in the Department of Theatre and Dance. Together, they create and devise a new artistic community, an inclusive production incorporating anyone who wants to be involved. Open to all students who are interested in majoring or minoring in any of the department's six degree concentrations, this year's theme will gather inspiration from “Suitcases, and all that they evoke!”
Oct
1
National Hispanic Heritage Month Concert: Program Two
Hayes School of Music
October 1, 2023
4:00 pm
The Hayes School of Music once again celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month with a new series of concerts by composers from Spain and composers of Spanish heritage. Program Two includes works by composers Juana Inés de la Cruz, Antonio Lauro, Isaac Albeniz, Alberto Ginastera, Elena Minor, Isaac Albéniz, Astor Piazzolla, Gary Soto, Octavio Paz and Manuel de Falla.
Oct
4
Community FEaST
Appalachian Food Research for Equity Sustainability (AppalFRESH)
October 4, 2023
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
AppalFRESH, the Appalachian Food Research for Equity Sustainability and Health Collaborative organizes the annual Community FEaST (Food Engagement and Story Telling) event. The event welcomes students, staff, faculty and community members to enjoy a simple, local meal while engaging in conversation about sustainable food issues and stories.
Oct
4
to
8
Rules for Living
Department of Theatre and Dance
October 4 - 8, 2023
“Rules for Living” is a dark comedy about family dysfunction and societal norms by playwright Sam Holcroft. The play follows a family preparing for Christmas lunch and tensions begin to rise as they deal with family issues. Each movement, gesture or voice is dictated over by the play’s set of “rules” which the actors must follow to function correctly in Holcroft's world.

Exhibitions and ongoing events

Sep
19
to
Nov
7
Greenbriar International Film Festival
University Libraries and Department of English
Sep 19 - Nov 7, 2023
The films selected for the second Greenbriar International Film Festival represent a range of contemporary and classical films by established and emerging filmmakers, shown in a theater equal to the best available anywhere. The Fall 2023 films are organized around the theme “For the Love of Movies,” featuring films about moviemaking and moviegoing.
Sep
14
to
Nov
16
TCVA Workshop: Open Studio for App State Students
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
Sep 14 - Nov 16, 2023
Join us on Thursday evenings throughout the semester to unleash your creative spirit in a community of App State student peers in the studio space at the Turchin Center. These art-making workshops are led by App State student instructors and are open to all skill levels. All supplies are provided. Open Studio will be a time to create and explore new art making materials in a casual and welcoming setting.
Sep
5
to
Nov
14
TCVA Workshop: Paint Night for App Students/Transfer Students
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
Sep 5 - Nov 14, 2023
Join us on Tuesday evenings throughout the semester to nourish your creative spirit in a community of App State student peers in the studio space at the Turchin Center. Paint Night facilitation will focus on exploring a variety of techniques in a casual and welcoming setting. Hosted by Appalachian State University art education majors, these artmaking workshops are open to all skill levels. All supplies are provided.
Jul
7
to
Dec
2
Passage / Time Pieces
Jul 7 - Dec 2, 2023
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
Passage/Time Pieces consists of an installation by Nina Elder and an installation of original music by Michael Harrison in collaboration with musicians Elliot Cole, Ina Filip and Benoit Rolland, with lighting by Nina Elder. Passage creates a multi-sensory holographic effect through a constellation of tones which accentuate the audience’s movement through sonic and visual space. The drawings in Time Pieces are Nina Elder’s contemplations on the physical texture of time and the potential for transformation.

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.