NC State University offers a broad range of opportunities for students to experience and participate in the arts – through crafts, dance, exhibitions, music and theatre – open to all students regardless of academic major. Whether through academic courses, co-curricular participation in dance, music and theatre, experiencing performances by professional artists, engaging with powerful exhibitions of visual art, or the thrill of developing crafts skills, the arts offer all NC State students an avenue to develop creative think and do skills. All arts units are housed within University College in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs. For additional information, please visit the arts website (arts.ncsu.edu).

The Crafts Center

Explore your creative side and Make It Here! The NC State Crafts Center is an excellent resource for all students. Whether you’re interested in learning a skill or just want to “de-stress,” the Center has a comprehensive range of offerings in clay, digital photography, wood, jewelry/metals, fibers, glass, lapidary, mixed media and more. The Crafts Center is a diverse and creative space where skill and self-expression are fostered through the making and sharing of art and craft. Join us for special student-only classes such as Friday CRAFTernoons, Stressbusters and more. It’s also a great place to visit, study and surround yourself with creativity. Mentorship thrives at the Center. Professional staff and crafts instructors provide quality technical advice and materials support. With the intent of enhancing quality of life, the Crafts Center reaches out through academic collaboration, support for student life, and partnerships with other arts organizations. Participation in associated crafts guilds that routinely meet at the Crafts Center provides NC State students a creative platform within the university and beyond.

The addition of a digital fabrication makerspace, the C:LAB, has opened new doors for creative exploration and production. Classes in software, technology, laser engraving, and personal/professional development are available to all students to augment their academic engagement.

For answers to your questions about the Crafts Center, please call 919.515.2457 or visit the Crafts Center website (crafts.arts.ncsu.edu) for our upcoming programming, calendar information, map and directions.

Dance Program

The NC State Dance Program gives students the opportunity to study dance through direct experience in choreography and performance. The program’s two student companies, the State Dance Company (DAN 295 Problems of Dance Performance) and the Panoramic Dance Project (DAN 210 Current Trends in Afrocentric and World Dance), are open by audition. A vast array of classes, offered through the Master Class Series, are open to all NC State students, faculty and staff. The program also offers other academic courses such as Dance Composition (DAN 272 Dance Composition - Solo Forms), Hip-hop Dance (DAN 260 Hip-hop Dance), and Hip-hop Dance II (Dan 261 Hip-hop Dance II).

The Dance Program provides a rich training ground for choreographers through the study of composition, independent study, and guided choreographic projects. As undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in various fields, the dancers at NC State bring their diverse insights and experiences into the artistic process and contribute meaningfully to the art. The Dance Program’s three annual concerts are described below:

• The Dance Program Fall Concert: The Fall Concert features the choreography of current students who create work through independent study, as well as guest artists and company directors. Both the State Dance Company and the Panoramic Dance Project are represented on the Fall Concert.
• State Dance Company Concert: The State Dance Company performs a distinguished collection of modern dance for their annual concert. The concert features premiere and repertory work created by the dance program directors and invited guest artists. 
• Panoramic Dance Project Concert: For their annual spring concert, the Panoramic Dance Project presents a variety of dance styles in a world context with a focus on African, hip-hop and Latin dance. The concert features work by the director, guest artists and selected student choreographers.

For more information, please contact 919.515.7034 or visit the Dance Program website.

Gregg Museum of Art & Design

The Gregg Museum seeks to inspire creativity, innovation and the expression of ideas. With frequently-changing exhibitions and exciting free programs like films, artist talks, workshops, or yoga nearly every week, there’s always something new to see or do at the Gregg. As one of NC State’s designated Student Centers, the museum and its surrounding gardens offer a great place to study, have a picnic, or hang out with friends in a stimulating environment. Wifi is available both outdoors and inside.

The Gregg collection includes more than 35,000 objects from every continent, such as ceramics, glass, textiles, furniture, photography, paintings and sculptures, folk and outsider art, works on paper, Native American art, industrial design, archaeological artifacts, and fashion and costume. If you’re looking for inspiration or researching a topic involving objects, feel free to approach the museum staff for help. Each semester the Gregg also offers internships (for class credit) and paid student positions that provide experience in museum work.

To schedule tours or class visits, or to plan to use the permanent collection for research, please call 919.515.3503 or visit Gregg.arts.ncsu.edu.

The Gregg is located at 1903 Hillsborough Street, just across Pullen Road from the university’s Memorial Belltower, at the northern tip of Pullen Park. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. On certain Thursday nights there are free programs (films, artist talks, performances, etc.) and the museum will stay open additional hours. Check the website (gregg.arts.ncsu.edu) for listings and announcements. The galleries are closed Sundays and Mondays. Admission is free.

Department of Music

The Department of Music provides educational and performance opportunities for student and community participants through a variety of musical experiences and academic courses. Both a 15-hour minor in Arts Entrepreneurship and a 20-hour music minor is offered for qualified undergraduate students who wish to engage in more extensive study of music and the arts. Three tracks are offered: Performance, Composition, and General Studies.

For full descriptions of the academic courses, consult the Department of Music page in the NC State University Course Catalog, contact 919.515.2981 or visit the Department of Music's website. 

A wide variety of performing ensembles provide opportunities for students to develop both artistically and intellectually through applied music study. Through performance, the ensembles play an important role in campus life, presenting public concerts and performing at official functions (both on and off campus) and athletic events. Curricular performing ensembles receive one academic credit that may be used to satisfy free elective requirements in any academic major. Membership in most ensembles requires an audition with the instructor. See the Department of Music's website for audition information.

• Choral Ensembles. The Choral program offers students from all academic areas an opportunity to participate in the exploration and performance of the highest quality choral repertoire from all eras. The ensembles include State Chorale, Tenor-Bass Choir (Singing Statesmen), Soprano-Alto Choir (Vox Accalia), and the African American Choral Ensemble. Performance highlights have included concerts every semester, tours and occasional collaborations with other ensembles.
• Orchestras. The Raleigh Civic Symphony and Chamber Orchestra combine student and community musicians with professional leaders to present concerts of innovative programming on campus and in other Triangle area venues. Area professionals serve as concertmaster, principal cellist, and guest coaches, to provide high-level instruction and leadership to community and student players. Both orchestras require an audition.
• Athletic Bands. The Marching Band (Power Sound of the South) is active during football season, and the Varsity (Pep) Band is active during basketball season. Students must audition for a band and will be placed according to their ability and interest.
• Concert Bands. Two concert bands, the Symphonic Band and the Wind Ensemble, are offered each semester. Students must audition for the Wind Ensemble and will be placed according to their ability and interest.
• Jazz Ensembles. The jazz program includes Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz Ensemble II and a variety of Jazz Combos. The jazz groups perform both on and off campus during the fall and spring semesters. Students must audition for a jazz ensemble or combo and will be placed according to their ability and interest.
• Piano. Beginning piano classes are offered to students from all academic areas for credit. No previous experience is required. Applied lessons are offered to advanced piano students who have passed an audition and are admitted to the music minor program in piano performance with limited additional openings for non-minors.
• Voice. A Vocal Techniques class is offered to beginning voice students for credit with instructor approval. Previous voice study is not required. Applied voice lessons are offered to advanced voice students who have passed an audition and are admitted to the music minor program in vocal performance with limited additional openings for non-minors. 
• Pipes & Drums. Students may learn to play the bagpipes, an instrument known to many of North Carolina’s earliest settlers. Pipes, drums, and other equipment are furnished. Beginning pipe and drum lessons are available to students without previous experience.

NC State LIVE

NC State LIVE is your opportunity to experience boundary-breaking professional dance, theatre, music and multidisciplinary performances. NC State LIVE brings artists from across the world to campus to address the issues of our time with unflinching creativity and humanity. Discounted tickets are available to NC State students, faculty and staff. The NC State community also has the opportunity to engage with world-class artists through free workshops, master classes, artist talks and outdoor concerts. NC State LIVE hires student employees to help with marketing, event management, and artist services. For more information, follow @NCStateLIVE or visit live.arts.ncsu.edu.

University Theatre

University Theatre is NC State's open-access student theatre program, welcoming participation by all students regardless of major. We create an inclusive, student-centered community, grounded in the experience of making and sharing theatre. Through our large productions within our Producing Series, our professional summer TheatreFEST series, and various workshops and master classes throughout the year, students can enjoy theatrical works, learn practical skills, and become compassionate critical thinkers.

University Theatre offers many ways to participate with no prior experience necessary. Opportunities exist in:

• Performance
• Technical theatre
• Scenic, costume, lighting, sound, projection
• Stage management
• Arts administration
• Events
• Front of house operations
• Directing
• Design

Academic classes are offered in conjunction with our theatre minor and numerous workshops throughout the year. Employment opportunities for live events are also offered.

University Theatre is also home to the Psi Kappa cast, a chapter of Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society.

Contact: 919.515.3927 or visit the University Theatre website.

Ticket Central

Ticket Central serves as the centralized box office for the performing arts programs at NC State, ticketing events in a variety of performance venues including Stewart Theatre, Titmus Theatre, Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre, and the ballrooms of Talley Student Union. In addition to serving the NC State arts units, Ticket Central provides ticketing services on a fee basis for campus and community organizations. The box office is located in the main lobby of Thompson Hall. Hours vary by semester and during university holidays. Tickets are always available online at tickets.arts.ncsu.edu. Tickets may also be purchased in person, or by phone at 919.515.1100.