East Tennessee State University Is Cultural Magnet for All
East Tennessee State University’s cultural offerings entertain students and arts enthusiasts throughout the region.
Sponsored by: East Tennessee State University
Aspiring lawyer and political science major Caleb Vaughn had already set his sights on an out-of-state college when he heard about the Fine and Performing Arts Scholars Program at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN.
“At the very last minute, I found out about the FPA program here,” Vaughn says. “And I knew that ETSU could offer me a lot of things as far as balancing my career choices.”
In 2023, Vaughn starred in his first performance at the university’s new black box venue, the Bert C. Bach Theatre. The Bach Theatre is just one of many ETSU cultural offerings that not only educate students but entertain arts enthusiasts throughout the region.
The largest, and most obvious, says ETSU Communications Manager O.J. Early, is the Martin Center for the Arts, which opened its doors in 2020.
Broadway shows like “Jagged Little Pill” and “My Fair Lady” draw patrons from the Appalachian Highlands and other states. “The ETSU community is thrilled to host such incredible performances,” Early says.
The only art cinema in the region outside of Asheville, the revitalized Bud Frank Theatre features films ranging from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” to “White Christmas” and provides hands-on programming opportunities for film and media students.
This focus on roll-up-your-sleeves arts career training is a top priority in the Music Department, whose annual holiday concerts generally sell out, and the Department of Theatre and Dance, where students learn about much more than how to perform.
“So many skills are imparted to students,” Early adds, “from good communication skills to how to work well with others.”
A mainstay of the ETSU campus for nearly 60 years, the Reece Museum traces the heritage of Appalachia with approximately 22,000 artifacts and the works of renowned artists and ETSU students, both historic and contemporary. Admission is free and open to the public.
“Telling those stories and exploring that history is really important to the Reece Museum and the university,” Early says.
ETSU’s innovative venues also challenge perceptions of what art is and should be.
Tipton Gallery and Slocumb Galleries offer diverse, accessible and inclusive exhibits, as well as internships, class projects and a chance for students to win prestigious honors from the Tennessee Association of Museums.
Guest lecturers speak on a variety of topics at various sites on campus. And in one of the university’s groundbreaking regional partnerships, ETSU interns gain experience in costumes, lighting and more while observing performance company professionals in action daily at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia.
“The mission of ETSU is improving the quality of life for the people of the region and beyond,” Early points out. “We try to provide, and we believe that we do, a really thriving and growing arts and cultural scene that benefits faculty, staff, students and the community. They can come to ETSU and be a part of that art scene that maybe they wouldn’t otherwise have.”
Learn more about East Tennessee State University’s arts programs at etsu.edu.
