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

Jul
2
to
31
An Appalachian Summer Festival
July 2 - 31, 2021
An Appalachian Summer Festival will feature nearly 30 days of live, in-person, socially distanced and COVID-compliant performances, plus additional livestreams and virtual programming.
Jul
3
Paula Poundstone
An Appalachian Summer Festival
July 3, 2021
Two shows: 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend. She is recognized in innumerable lists, documentaries and literary compendiums noting influential standup comedians of our time.
Jul
8
Parsons Dance
An Appalachian Summer Festival
July 8, 2021
Two shows: 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Known for their remarkable athleticism and stunning ensemble work, Parsons Dance brings exuberance, joy and passion to any stage. Flawlessly fusing the gestures and movements that comprise modern dance with the discipline and precision of a classical dance company, the company is internationally renowned. Stunning works, like the iconic “Caught,” exemplify this company’s innovation and huge audience appeal.
Jul
10
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
An Appalachian Summer Festival
July 10, 2021
8:00 pm
What happens after an artist has achieved his dreams? That was the major question Jason Isbell was asking himself leading up to the creation of his newest album, “Reunions,” recorded with the 400 Unit and produced by celebrated producer Dave Cobb. After all, four-time Grammy winner Isbell is at the top of his game.

Exhibitions and ongoing events

Jun
4
to
Nov
6
Every Olive Tree in the Garden of Gethsemane: Wendy Babcox
Jun 4 - Nov 6, 2021
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
Every Olive Tree in the Garden of Gethsemane is a suite of photogravure images of each of the twenty-three olive trees in the garden. Situated at the foot of the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem, the Garden of Gethsemane is known to many as the site where Jesus prayed the night before his crucifixion. The oldest tree has been carbon-dated to 1092, a date almost coincidental with the first of the Crusades.
Jun
4
to
Nov
6
Where are the birds? Retracing Audubon: Artwork by Krista Elrick
Jun 4 - Nov 6, 2021
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
Retracing Audubon: Eco-Conversations is an exhibition and book project reexamining John James Audubon’s epic life journey and the production of his beloved tome, “The Birds of America.” This exhibition features contemporary photographs made by Krista Elrick of the American landscapes in which Audubon traveled 200 years ago. Also included are quotes from Audubon’s journals and entries Elrick made in her own travel notebooks two centuries later.
Jul
2
to
Feb
6
98.6 – A Creative Commonality
Jul 2, 2021 - Feb 6, 2022
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
This exhibition features works created by chimpanzees at Zoo Knoxville, an AZA-accredited institution in Knoxville, Tennessee that works closely with the SSP. Reflecting on the concept of 98.6%, our shared DNA, and the vast number of similarities between humans and chimpanzees, we celebrate our likeness.
Jul
2
to
31
An Appalachian Summer Festival
July 2 - 31, 2021
An Appalachian Summer Festival will feature nearly 30 days of live, in-person, socially distanced and COVID-compliant performances, plus additional livestreams and virtual programming.

View more arts and humanities events

News

Main gallery at the Turchin Center named for Luther H. Hodges Jr.
May 10, 2021
The main gallery of App State’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts has been named The Luther H. Hodges Gallery in honor of arts patron Luther H. Hodges Jr., who has contributed $500,000 to support the center’s arts and educational programming.
Mountaineer photographer Jesse Barber focuses on storytelling
April 20, 2021
Jesse Barber, a senior from Sawmills, combines his passion for photography, the environment, people and culture in his self-designed interdisciplinary studies major, focusing on documentary studies in Appalachia.
App State Common Reading Program announces ‘Belonging’ as 2021–22 book selection
April 9, 2021
As part of the 2021–22 App State Common Reading Program, all incoming first-year and transfer students will receive an e-book copy of Nora Krug’s award-winning graphic memoir “Belonging: A German Reckons with History and Home” during their orientation sessions.
Schaffels commit to $1 million matching gift for An Appalachian Summer Festival
January 22, 2021
Nancy and Neil Schaffel and the Murar Foundation have made a $1 million matching gift to the endowment for Appalachian State University’s An Appalachian Summer Festival. The gift will support the festival’s music, dance, theater, film and visual arts programming.