Timeline
1960s
June 21
N.C. General Assembly passes bill establishing the North Carolina School of the Arts,
with a $325,000 appropriation.
April 28-29
Advisory Board of Artists selects Winston-Salem, where more than 5,000 people have
pledged more than $850,000 in a two-day telephone drive. Board nominates Vittorio
Giannini as president.
Sept. 7
High School classes begin. College classes begin on Sept. 21.
Feb. 10
Governor Dan K. Moore announces $1.5 million challenge grant to NCSA from the Ford
Foundation.
Dec. 10-11
NCSA School of Dance gives its first performance of The Nutcracker ballet to a capacity house in Reynolds Auditorium.
July 9
The International Music Program, a collaborative effort between NCSA and the Accademia
Musicale Chigiana begins in Siena, Italy.
September
School of Design and Production created, separate from School of Drama.
July 13-Sept. 1
First summer session for dance students conducted in Asolo, Italy; beginning of International
Dance Program.
1970s
September
NCSA inaugurates high school Visual Arts program.
Oct. 22
World premiere of Agnes de Mille’s ballet, A Rose for Miss Emily.
Mar. 11-14
Composer Aaron Copland attends three day Copland Festival in honor of his 70th birthday.
July 1
NCSA becomes member of the 16-campus University of North Carolina when the state consolidates
its institutions of higher learning.
Mar. 1
NCSA’s main auditorium named in honor of the first president of NCSA’s Foundation,
a former builder and Chairman of the Board of Hanes hosiery, R.B. Crawford, Jr.
Feb. 3
Guitarist Andres Segovia the recipient of NCSA’s first honorary Doctor of Fine Arts
degree.
April 27
Semans Library dedicated in honor of Dr. James H. Semans, and his wife, Mrs. Mary
Duke Biddle Trent Semans who helped lead the establishment of the North Carolina School
of the Arts. Dr. Semans was chairman of NCSA board of trustees for the first 17 years.
1980s
April 25, May 7
NCSA honors eight with honorary doctorates: Agnes de Mille, Jose Ferrer, Gordon Hanes,
Rosemary Harris, Nananne Porcher, William Schuman, Oliver Smith and Helen Hayes.
Nov. 6
North Carolina author, NCSA founder and Winston Salem resident, John Ehle, receives
honorary doctorate from the School.
March 26
First NCSA graduate program in Design and Production approved by UNC Board of Governors.
April 22-24
Gala performances celebrate opening of the Stevens Center, named for Roger L. Stevens.
Gregory Peck serves as master of ceremonies; Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Isaac Stern,
soloist.
Performances by Jean Stapleton, Zoe Caldwell, Mel A. Tomlinson and Heather Watts.
Also participating in tribute are Agnes de Mille, Sir Anton Dolin, Cliff Robertson,
Oliver Smith, Gov. James Hunt, President and Mrs. Gerald Ford and Mrs. Lyndon Baines
Johnson. A performance of Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate" rounds out the celebration.
May 30
William C. Friday. President Emeritus of the University of North Carolina, speaks
at Commencement. Friday and national arts leader, Winston Salem resident, R. Philip
Hanes Jr. are presented with honorary doctorates.
April 11
NCSA’s first Founder’s Day celebration honors 55 founders of the School.
May 8
Dame Margot Fonteyn arrives at NCSA for weeklong residency as first recipient of the
Lucia Chase Endowed Fellowship for Dance, established by Alex Ewing in memory of his
mother, Lucia Chase.
Fall
NCSA enrolls first students in Master of Music program.
1990s
April 25
NCSA celebrates 25th anniversary simultaneously with the installation of its 5th chancellor, Alex Ewing, concert by alumnus Ransom Wilson, flute, highlights activities.
June
Jean Licker Firstenberg, director of American Film Institute, agrees to serve as chair
of board of advisors of the proposed School of Filmmaking at NCSA.
Jan. 27
The William R. Kenan Jr. Fund for the Arts establishes the Thomas S. Kenan Institute
for the Arts at NCSA.
May 29
Peter Hedges (’84 BFA Dr) is first UNCSA alumnus to deliver commencement speech.
Sept. 16
School of Filmmaking opens as fifth arts school at NCSA. Approximately 60 students
register for classes in the new school.
May 2-12
NCSA presents all-school production of Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon. Friends celebrate the school’s 30th anniversary at a Highlands-inspired gala on May 4.
Jan. 6
Mr. and Mrs. R. Philip Hanes Jr. pledge $1 million to NCSA, to be used for endowment.
April 16-19
Dedication ceremonies held to celebrate School of Filmmaking’s new $15M “Studio Village.”
Filmmakers-in-residence include: Elmer Bernstein, Donn Cambern, Dino and Martha DeLaurentiis,
Elliott Kastner, Ted Tally and Robert Wise. Motion Picture Association Chairman Jack
Valenti speaks to legislators and corporate friends. Filmmaker Robert Wise and PBS
journalist Charlie Rose also attend.
Summer
New performing arts series, Summer Scenes inaugurated at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. Six-week festival includes
music and dance performances and will add drama the next summer. More than 150 students,
faculty and alumni participate.
December
Stunning new “Nutcracker” sets, costumes and lighting designed by NCSA alumni Campbell
Baird and John McKernon. Ballet’s first new sets in 20 years and first new costumes
since its Winston-Salem debut in 1966. Special recognition given to Sonja Tyven and
Robert Lindgren who staged the original 1966 production based on the original choreography
by Lev Ivanov.
January
$25M goal fundraising goal surpassed as “Creating Our Future” campaign ends. Approximately
3,800 individuals, foundations, businesses and organizations participated. Funds
raised for endowment, capital improvements and annual operating expenses.
July 10-24
“Shakespeare Lives!” a collaborative project of the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for
the Arts, in partnership with the NCSA School of Drama and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
in London. Educators from Forsyth and Catawba counties selected to participate in
inaugural program.
2000s
January
School of Drama Dean Gerald Freedman is first American invited to direct at Shakespeare’s
Globe Theatre in London. Freedman directs rare Jacobean play, The Antipodes by Richard Brome, in August.
Sept. 8
UNC President Molly Broad announces a gift of $10 million from the A.J. Fletcher Foundation
of Raleigh to establish and endow the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute at NCSA. It is
the largest gift ever given to the School.
Nov. 7
$3.1B higher education bond referendum passes, NCSA to receive $42.5M for much needed
improvements and construction projects.
Nov. 9-12
The School of Filmmaking in collaboration with the Kenan Institute for the Arts, hosts
Cinethics: A National Conference on Ethics in Filmmaking, which draws faculty and students from 17 film schools across the country. Panelists
include Armyan Bernstein, producer of AIR FORCE ONE; Sarah Pillsbury, producer of
DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN; film critic Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times; and
U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson
Nov. 22
Mr. and Mrs. R. Philip Hanes Jr. pledge another $1 million to NCSA for endowment.
May
Kenan Institute for the Arts restructured as a privately funded affiliate of the North
Carolina School of the Arts.
June
Kenan Institute for the Arts hosts the first national assembly of conservatory leaders
“Preparing Performing Artists for the 21st Century”.
October
School of Filmmaking Dean Dale Pollock announces the RiverRun International Film Festival will move from Brevard and Asheville to Winston Salem in April, 2003. Projection
and sound equipment will be installed in the Stevens Center to restore it as a working
movie theatre. Films on Fourth Series also begins in collaboration with Winston Salem Cinema Society.
November
NCSA receives Treasured Tree Stewardship Award for decision to preserve the 50-year
old white oak tree in front of Alex Ewing Performance Place.
Sept. 25
Charlotte and Philip Hanes Student Commons and Daniels Plaza dedicated.
Oct. 25
School of Music Complex including Bill and Judy Watson Hall Chamber Music Hall dedicated.
June
Center for Design Innovation is established as a collaborative digital design project
between the Triad’s business, government and educational leadership.
September
Graduate program (MFA) in Performing Arts Management begins in School of Design and
Production and is one of only 35 in the country.
December
In 2005, the North Carolina School of the Arts partnered with Winston-Salem State
University to support the UNC Board Governors' establishment of the Center for Design Innovation (CDI). Forsyth Technical Community College is another member of the consortium and will
become CDI's neighbor in the Piedmont Triad Research Park. CDI promotes interdisciplinary
creativity and the development and use of digital technologies to foster collaborative
research, education and commerce.
Apr 22
Founders Forum held in Watson Hall celebrates NCSA’s 40th birthday; panel composed
of: John M. Ehle Jr., R. Philip Hanes Jr., Thomas W. Lambeth, Robert Lindgren, Mary
D.B.T. Semans and Robert E. Ward.
Apr. 3
“Festival of the Arts” celebrates the installation of John Mauceri as 7th Chancellor
of the North Carolina School of the Arts.
April
The UNCSA Board of Trustees votes to establish seven honorary trustee positions to represent
the areas of Dance, Design and Production, Drama, Film, Music, High School (Academic
Program), and (Undergraduate) Academic (and Graduate) Programs.
May 3-13
West Side Story Opening, Symposium and Gala celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the original Broadway
work. Chancellor Mauceri (a protégé of Leonard Bernstein) and Drama Dean Gerald Freedman
(who was assistant director of the original production) lead the world premiere production
and travel with it for one performance at the prestigious Chicago Ravinia Festival
on June 8.
Aug. 1
Proposal to change the name of North Carolina School of the Arts to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS approved by the NC General Assembly (Senate Bill 2015, Senate approval June 24 and
House approval July 9). The bill was signed into law by Governor Mike Easley on Aug.
8, 2008.
Nov. 22
Chancellor Mauceri conducts Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony with UNCSA SymphonyOrchestra
to mark 25th anniversary of the Stevens Center.
Nov. 13
First Winston Salem Light Project; UNCSA Students light historic Millennium Building
in artist-inspired vignettes.
Jun. 17
Four alumni from the New York area recognized by UNCSA with Alumni Achievement Awards
in recognition of their accomplishments, contributions to society, and efforts on
behalf of their alma mater: J.T. Rogers, School of Drama, Class of 1990 (Acting); Jonah Bokaer School of Dance, Class of 2000; Gerald Shaprut, School of Music, Class of 1995, and the late Jean DePasquale Shaprut,
School of Design and Production, Class of 1996.
Nov. 25
UNCSA Presents Inaugural Alumni Recognition Award to Angus MacLachlan.
Dec. 11
Magnolia Baroque Festival receives American Masterpieces NEA Grant.
2010s
January 3
Center for Design Innovation Gets Land for Permanent Facility (Posted Jan. 3, 2011)
Apr. 11
UNCSA receives $6M grant from the Thomas R. Kenan Jr. Trust, largest one-time gift
in the school’s history.
Apr. 28
UNCSA presents an all-school production of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! Special
Gala Performance on April 29th with proceeds from the production and the Gala to benefit all five arts schools.
June
UNCSA Honors Five Alumni with Achievement Awards: Kenneth Frazelle, School of Music,
1974; Jennifer Haire, School of Filmmaking, 2002; ANGELA Hays, School of Design and
production Class of 2007; Trey McIntyre, School of Dance, Class of 1987; and Ira David
Wood, School of Drama, Class of 1966 and 1970.
Summer
American Ballet Theatre and UNCSA announce plans for a five-year partnership, starting
fall 2011, which will implement ABT’s National Training Curriculum throughout the
UNCSA School of Dance preparatory, high school and collegiate divisions and make UNCSA’s
campus a second home for ABT’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School by becoming an exclusive
affiliate school.
February 20
Center for Design Innovation breaks ground for new facility - CDI's founding institutional partners are UNC School of the Arts, Winston-Salem State
University and Forsyth Technical Community College[pdf] (Posted Feb. 20, 2012)
August 21
UNCSA's Fighting Pickle takes top honor as Cheetos' Chester Cheetah's "Cheesiest College
Mascot".
November 15
UNCSA names Proscenium Thrust Theatre for Gerald Freedman, dean emeritus of School
of Drama.
Apr. 3
UNCSA mourns the loss of founder Robert Ward, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer who
served as school’s second top administrator. He was 95.
Apr. 22
Campus mourns a second loss this month, that of Robert Suderburg at his home in Williamstown
MA, third chancellor of UNCSA. He was 77.
May 10
Robert Lindgren, founding dean of UNCSA School of Dance, dies at his home in Winston.
Salem, NC. He was 89.
Nov. 8
UNCSA mourns loss of Malcolm Morrison, Hartford, CT, former dean of drama, also founder
and artistic director of N.C. Shakespeare Festival. He was 73.
Jan. 30
UNCSA wins Emmy Award at the 28th Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards Ceremony in Nashville
for its UNC-TV 2012 production of “Much Ado about Nothing”.
Apr. 11
Lindsay Bierman named chancellor of the University of North Carolina School of the
Arts. Bierman, 48, will assume his new duties August 1, succeeding James Moeser, who
has served as interim chancellor since John Mauceri stepped down from the post last
June.
Aug. 22
The Center for Design Innovation (CDI) names Pamela L. Jennings as director.
Sept. 19
This School, This City: Celebrating 50 Years of UNC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem
(TSTC) opens Friday at the New Winston Museum, 713 South Marshall St. in Winston-Salem.
The new year-long exhibition and programming series is collaboration between the University
of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) and the museum.
February
The School of Music at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts created
the Chrysalis Chamber Music Institute, featuring two annual residencies by the renowned
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Feb. 11
Two UNCSA chancellors M. Lindsay Bierman and Alex Ewing share a dialogue about leading
the nation’s first state-supported arts conservatory as part of the This School/This
City series in conjunction with The New Winston Museum.
March 13
Students for the Schools of Design and Production, Filmmaking, Dance and Music joined
forces with Italy’s leading fashion designer Agatha Luiz de la Prada in a multidisciplinary
concert in New York City
Apr. 15
UNCSA announces it will offer a new Master of Fine Arts in Filmmaking in fall 2016.
The new M.F.A. program was recently approved by the UNC Board of Governors.
Apr. 25
AFAS’ Public Art Initiative brings work of UNCSA scenic designers to Wake Forest Innovation
Quarter. A 15-foot art tower marks the intersection of art and innovation, thanks
to collaboration between the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Art
for Art’s Sake (AFAS) and Wake Forest Innovation Quarter. The tower located at the
corner of Fourth and Patterson Streets in what has been named Bailey Park.
April 30
The School’s held its inaugural “Collage” Concert, an all-student showcase, featuring
large and chamber ensembles, as well as solo performances. Afterward, Chancellor Birman
hosted “Next Now” , UNCSA’s annual benefit for student scholarships at the Benton
Convention Center.
Jun. 1
Award-winning stage director Nicholas Muni named artistic director of A.J. Fletcher
Opera Institute at UNCSA.
Fall
The Kenan Institute for the Arts, in partnership with The Winston-Salem Foundation
and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, convened the first Community
Innovation Lab in the nation with a $1.5M grant from the Kresge Corporation.
September 24
UNCSA’s new 75, 731 sq. ft. Library formally opened and its Music library was posthumously
dedicated to Benjamin F. Ward, former UNCSA Trustee, Musician and Professor of Philosophy
at Duke University.
Sept. 25
Lindsay Bierman installed in the Gerald Freedman Theatre as eighth chancellor of the
University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Sept. 26
UNCSA celebrates 50th anniversary with Community Day Festival.
October 31
The School of Design and Production spent Halloween at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave lighting
the South Portico of the White House.
Summer
A $5 million dollar pledge was received from Chancellor Emeritus Alex Ewing, one of
the largest gifts in the history of the school. In recognition, the largest performance
venue on campus was renamed the Alex Ewing Performance Place.
Chancellor Emeritus Ewing also presented the School with $1 million for scholarships
in each of the five conservatories in honor of his late wife, Sheila Cobb Ewing.
Fall
Two new MFA programs in the School of Filmmaking in Screenwriting and Creative Producing
opened for graduate studies.
October
A major gift of art was installed in the new library, the result of a bequest from
the estate of Clyde M. Fowler Jr., longtime director of UNCSA’s Visual Arts Program,
with works by Robert Motherwell, Willem DeKooning, Julian Schnabel, Robert Rauschenberg,
Cy Twombly and Andy Warhol.
October 31
Fourteen Design and Production students created a themed Halloween experience at the
White House consisting of vignettes derived from children’s storybook motifs for the
annual party for children of military-affiliated families.
December
UNCSA announced an anonymous gift of $10 million, the largest gift the school ever
received from an individual donor. The gift is to be used to establish the Institute
for Performance Innovation, a joint educational venture between the Schools of Design
and Production and Filmmaking.
February
UNCSA launches Choreographic Institute in the School of Dance in the summer of 2017
to foster the development of new work by established and emerging choreographers including
Helen Pickett, Ethan Stiefel and Susan Jaffe.