Facilities & Collections

Students have access to several cutting-edge facilities which support research in the five subfields of anthropology including the 3D Virtual Lab, Biological Anthropology Research Center, Cultural Resources Facility, Ethnographic Research Lab, Geo-Spatial Archaeology Lab, and the Isotope Prep Lab.

Humboldt's Ceramics Studio includes two kiln rooms, a large glaze room, a plaster mold making area, a clay mixing area, throwing and handbuilding areas, and an outdoor kiln, all which give students the opportunity to express themselves in every aspect of the medium.

This facility supports research in physical geography, vegetation and disturbance ecology, dendroecology, landscape ecology, and geospatial analysis. In the lab, students learn to use tree-ring measuring systems, field and lab equipment, computers, and instrumentation.

With a capacity to seat 250, Fulkerson Hall boasts the technology and glamour to host a symphony orchestra. Used for rehearsals and performances by student ensembles, guest recitals, Center Arts performances, and local musicians, the hall is also a lively classroom and recording studio.

With a seating capacity of 112, Gist Hall is used to produce mainstage Theatre productions and Dance performances. Equipped with a ticket office, lighting and sound booths, dressing room, and extensive technology, the hall is often booked by local student groups and clubs in the community. 

Founded to honor living culture through contemporary and traditional Native American art, the gallery fosters campus, tribal, and community connections. Inspired by the Wiyot word Goudi’ni, translated as “one is way up and one looks back,” we acknowledge the long history of this place by sharing the stories of past, present, and future generations. 

In the jewelry and small metals studio, students learn basic fabrication techniques like chasing, forming and raising, casting, forging, enameling, aluminum anodizing, etching, and basic finishing and polishing processes. The studio is equipped with metal and wood bandsaws, a spray etcher, sand and bead blasters, drill presses, bending break, rollers, belt sanders, rolling mills, anvils, and a large assortment of forming hammers and stakes.

The largest performing arts venue in Humboldt County, the theatre is ADA accessible, seats 750, and is supported by extensive technology and equipment. Used to produce mainstage Theatre and Dance productions and Film department screenings, the theatre also serves as an assembly space for various events including graduation ceremonies.

A student-run station, KRFH or ‘Radio Free Humboldt’ is broadcast on 105.1FM and streams on KRFH.net. Students DJs and managers run the station, which is equipped with an on-air-booth, a large record library, production rooms for recording and editing, and a master control room where local bands perform live on air.

Our facilities include a chemical lab for black and white printing and a lighting studio. Our labs are open for extended hours for student use in order to provide abundant time for focused study and practice for the serious photographic artist. Students also have access to a variety of photography equipment, including digital, 35mm, and large format cameras, portable lighting kits, and a professionally equipped lighting studio.

• Three etching and three lithography presses.
• A new to us Vandercook No. 03. Two letterpress proof presses to be used to print relief blocks and for special letterpress events.
• Fully-equipped space with tools and equipment for relief, intaglio, and screen printing processes.
• Enclosed courtyard for studio work and a nice outdoor space to have lunch.

Established in 1970, the gallery houses Humboldt's permanent collection of art. Each year, the gallery showcases several exhibitions by professional artists along with an exhibition of student art culminating with a show of graduating art students’ work.

Coming Fall 2022, the Food Sovereignty Lab is a new interdisciplinary space that supports the resurgence of Indigenous food systems on campus and in the community. The lab will include a commercial kitchen with a space for basketry, art, and regalia, in addition to a salmon cooking pit and Native plant garden. The only resource of its kind in the CSU system, the Food Lab is designed to help “indigenize” and educate the Humboldt community.

From small intimate objects to large public sculptures, students develop the skills necessary to fabricate, carve, model, and cast their own artistic vision in the studio. In addition to metal casting and fabrication, the studio also houses a bronze foundry, welding facility, a woodshop, and a mixed media area with equipment for mold making, body casting, water based resins, fabrics, and experimental processes.

Through the Student Access Gallery club, students gain hands-on experience in art preparation, installation, and gallery administration. The galleries also beautify campus by showcasing student art in the Foyer Gallery, the Karshner Lounge, and the SBS building lobby.

In the editorial office space in Founders Hall 205, students edit, curate, typeset, and design the annual issue of Toyon Multilingual Journal of Literature and Art each year. Students also record the annual audio edition of Toyon in the audiobook recording studio. The space includes a publishing resource library complete with reference books for creative writers (including directories of literary agents and publishing opportunities). 

The center will serve the needs of the growing Hispanic student population and their families. As an Hispanic Serving Institution, Humboldt will provide necessary services like bilingual webpages, institutional forms, presentations, and other critical information through this new center.

One of the largest collections of chamber music on the West Coast, Humboldt's chamber music library ranges from duets to nonets for strings, woodwinds, piano, and brass in all combinations. Through faculty, student ensembles have access to the entire collection, which is also used by K-12 area students and participants in the summer Chamber Music workshops.

Outfitting campus Theatre and Dance productions, Humboldt's Costume Shop also loans items to arts-based organizations in the community. Equipment includes sewing machines, cork tables for cutting and pattern drafting, laundry facilities, Dye Vat, dress forms, and vintage wooden hat blocks for millinery and felting.

A collection of maps and globes assembled by Geography faculty, including historical, political, and geophysical maps, used in physical geography and climate-based courses.

Permanent works of art are on display throughout the Humboldt campus. The collection includes approximately 2,000 objects including Asian and African art as well as artwork created by alumni, faculty, and community members.

With resources to build props for all Theatre productions, the Prop Shop also supports student projects in Film, Theatre, and Dance classes. Tools include a bandsaw, scroll saw, oscillating sander, hotwire foam cutter, and hand tools.