Built in 1943 of local stone on the site of a former Civilian Conservation Corps camp, the Cowee School educated area youth for nearly seven decades. The historic structure is now an arts and heritage center serving Western North Carolina residents and visitors.
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Our Mission: The purpose of Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center is to promote the teaching and preservation of the cultural and artistic heritage of the Southern Appalachians and Cherokee people to serve as a community resource and gathering place.
Updates & Closures
Due to Covid-19 concerns, Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center is closed to the public until further notice.
The Folk Heritage Association of Macon County and the Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center have made the difficult decision to postpone the 16th annual Franklin Area Folk Festival that was scheduled for August 15, 2020. It will be rescheduled for August 21, 2021 – always set for the 3rd Saturday in August.
The June, July and August concerts have been cancelled due to Covid-19. Further updates on cancellations will be announced in the coming weeks.
Our Summer Concert Series schedule for 2020 is now online! Please click here to see the lineup and purchase tickets.
*For all online ticket sales -
Your PayPal receipt serves as your ticket. No paper tickets will be mailed. Please pick up your tickets at the door.
Free Wi-Fi at Cowee School
Cowee School is making drive-up wi-fi internet access available to students, families, and workers who need to work or study on-line. The signal reaches both the upper and lower parking lots. The network is coweecommunity. The password is coweewifi.
Cowee Pottery School has made the tough decision to cancel their Cowee Valley Pottery Festival in May. The festival will be held Memorial Day weekend in 2021. Please follow their Facebook page for more updates and events.
Fit & Fun Exercise Class: 9:30am, Mon-Wed-Fridays $5/class
Oil Painting w/John Houglum: 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm, Tues 1pm-4pm Wed
Cowee Textiles: See website www.coweetextiles.com
Pottery Classes: See website www.coweepotteryschool.org
Cowee School relies on the support of individuals and businesses in our community.
Help support Cowee School by making a donation, sponsorsing an event or project, or becoming a Member! Read More....
Cowee School is fortunate to have a dedicated team of local volunteers. From the Board of Directors to the stage crews for summer concerts, all aspects of Cowee School are reliant on volunteer support. If you have time to share, click here.
Cowee School is filled with artisan activities: Pottery, Textiles, Painting, and more.
The school also stays busy with activities outside and in the Gym such as fitness classes, bridge and other community activities.