The Unsung Value of the Moss Arts Center

The Moss Arts Center is a vibrant part of not just Virginia Tech’s creative community, but also Blacksburg’s community as a whole. Yet it remains underrated. Although most students have at least heard of the Moss Arts Center, many have never been there or don’t know where it’s located. To be honest, even though I have been living on campus for almost two years now, I have only seen one performance there. And I am starting to realize how much I’ve been missing out.

As students, we should realize how lucky we are to have a place like the Moss Arts Center, a home for creativity, located conveniently on campus. The tickets are cheap and are even cheaper with a student discount. Additionally, you can sign up to get text alerts when an event still has seats available close to its start time. If this is the case, you can show up at the door and get in with just your student ID. Why would you want to pass up an opportunity like that?

The Moss Arts Center also has plenty of events to satisfy a variety of interests. There are musicals, ballets, readings, comedy shows, concerts, and more. Sometimes, performers will even host workshops or artist talks. In these more intimate experiences, you can learn what inspires them to inspire you. Many events are influenced by global perspectives and will introduce you to cultures and ideas you might have never heard of before. You can also support talented students in the School of Performing Arts by listening to their vocal stylings or instrumental renditions.

Aside from scheduled events, art exhibitions feature the work of skilled artists, and because gallery entrance is free, you can stop by almost any time. In addition, the Moss Arts Center is home to the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology, an interdisciplinary effort to combine STEM subjects, the arts, and emerging technologies in innovative research.

Every Virginia Tech student should attend a concert or view an art exhibition at the Moss Arts Center at least once, even multiple times. I hope that you feel inspired to open your mind and take in a performance. And I hope that I take my own advice and do the same.