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.

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 for our upcoming programming, calendar information, map and directions.

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.

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.

Department of Performing Arts and Technology

The Department of Performing Arts & Technology is committed to providing broad-based educational opportunities for NC State students through a variety of music and dance experiences and introductory and upper-level courses. Department faculty seek to assist students in developing insights, skills, and the capacity to perceive and respond to music and dance in its historical and cultural contexts.

Opportunities for direct student application as performers include many choral, dance, and instrumental ensemble courses. Registration in any ensemble is open to students with an interest in music or dance. Auditions are scheduled during summer orientation, at the beginning of each semester, and by appointment with the director of the group.

The department offers a variety of courses, most of which may be taken to fulfill specific general education programs. Any course may be taken as a free elective. The department offers minors in Arts Entrepreneurship, Dance Performance & Choreography, Dance Studies,  Music Studies, and Music Performance for qualified undergraduate students who wish to engage in more extensive study in these areas. 

The department also serves as a cultural resource for the university community and the public at large through concerts presented by companies, ensembles, student-musicians, faculty, and visiting artists. Concerts are open to students and the public.

For more information about this department, including contact information, visit the department website.

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.