Give to Appalachian | Appalachian Today | Appalachian Alumni

Ever wonder what keeps ticket prices to Appalachian State University’s summer cultural events so low? At just $25 or less per ticket, admission prices during An Appalachian Summer Festival are a third to a quarter of what concert goers might pay for the same performances in bigger cities.

We can thank corporate sponsorships for this valuable benefit. Several local companies make annual financial contributions to Appalachian’s cultural programming because they believe the arts improve quality of life and should be accessible to all.

The lead corporate sponsors for an Appalachian Summer Festival include Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, Skybest Communications, and Westglow Resort and Spa. Blue Ridge Electric and SkyBest Communications have served as major sponsors since 1998, helping to formalize the festival’s sponsorship program and paving the way for other sponsors. Westglow Resort and Spa signed on as a major sponsor in 2006. Over the years, Blue Ridge Electric and SkyBest Communications also have supported Appalachian’s academic programs and the Yosef Club for athletics. The owners of Westglow Resort and Spa, Bonnie and Jamie Schaefer, have also provided generous support for other university initiatives, such as the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies.

Additional corporate sponsors for An Appalachian Summer Festival include Mast General Store, McDonald’s of Boone, Appalachian Hospitality Management/Best Western-Blue Ridge Plaza, Allen Wealth Management, Footsloggers Outdoor and Travel Outfitters, Peabody’s Wine and Beer Merchants, Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock, the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center and the Scholars Bookshop at the University Bookstore.

25 years of excellent performances

Corporate sponsors have made possible performances by such world-renowned artists as Pilobolus, Doc Watson, Willie Nelson, Bruce Hornsby, Lily Tomlin, Judy Collins, Andre Watts, Pinchas Zuckerman, and Charlie Daniels (among others), as well as festival programs such as a film series and silent auction.

“Appalachian pays the same as other venues for these performers, but corporate sponsorships help cover these costs, enabling us to hold the line on ticket prices, while maintaining the breadth and quality of artistic programming for which An Appalachian Summer Festival is known,” explained Denise Ringler, director of arts and cultural programs.

The festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this summer. “We are truly grateful for the enlightened philosophy and the commitment of these extraordinary corporate sponsors to bringing world-class artistic programming to the High Country, at ticket prices that are affordable for residents of our region.
Those of us who live here or visit our area truly have it all: the best of the big city without the big city ticket prices, in one of the most beautiful natural settings found anywhere,” Ringler said.

Why support the arts?

Bonnie Schaefer of Westglow Spa was reared in a family that valued the arts. She has fond memories of seeing Broadway shows, and concerts by the likes of Van Cliburn and Roberta Peters.

“My upbringing certainly influenced my feelings about the arts as an adult,” said Schaefer, who splits her time between Florida and the High Country. “I strongly believe that it makes sense to support the arts in the community I call home for a good part of the year, and to support the wide array of arts events offered by Appalachian… The arts provide a way for the university to engage the public, and for the entire community to come together to experience live performances. It makes a huge difference in the quality of life for all of the residents in our region.”

Schaefer calls An Appalachian Summer Festival’s sophistication and range of programming “phenomenal,” including sculpture that initially can prove challenging to understand. “Even if it leaves us scratching our heads at times, it engages us, evokes a reaction, and gets us talking,” she said.

Jimmy Blevins, chief executive officer of SkyBest Communications Inc., says An Appalachian Summer Festival provides “an avenue to the arts” for area communities, in addition to benefitting the local economy.

“SkyBest Communications congratulates Appalachian State University on its 25th year of presenting An Appalachian Summer Festival. How fortunate we are to have a month-long series of this caliber each summer that brings top-notch artists and musicians to the region,” Blevins said. “As one of the local corporate sponsors of this festival, SkyBest is glad to partner with the university in helping to keep ticket prices affordable so that our customers and their families can choose from a variety of enriching and inspiring events to enjoy.”

“An Appalachian Summer Festival is an opportunity for the entire community to experience quality arts and entertainment. That is why Blue Ridge Electric has chosen to be a proud supporter of the festival for so many years, particularly its finale concert featuring some of our nation’s most exciting popular entertainers,” said Doug Johnson, chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation. “We believe the arts bring people together and can offer a chance to celebrate the unique sense of community that we enjoy in the High Country. ”

Contact:
Anna Kuhlman
Director of Development for Arts and Cultural Programs
kuhlmanac@appstate.edu
828-262-2084