Stevens Center Phase 2 designs revealed

Dear UNCSA Community,

I’m thrilled to reveal the design plans today for the second and final phase of the comprehensive renovation of our beloved performing arts center and learning laboratory, the Stevens Center in downtown Winston-Salem. 

As we near the completion of Phase 1, which reimagined the lobby areas to create a more organic and fluid entry for audiences and visitors as well as increased accessibility and amenities and achieved a watertight exterior through the replacement of the terra cotta and roof, this next phase of the renovation will transform the theater chamber.

Designs revealed today will create a more intimate and flexible environment through enhancements to seating and the stage, as well as an entirely reconfigured balcony with improved sightlines. The theater will also be upgraded with seamlessly integrated technology to create a future-thinking performance facility with provisions for immersive video and sound, creating a state-of-the-art experience for our students and others who perform there.  

I hope you are as excited as I am by the renderings released today that show the amazing transformation that will be coming. I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the progress made so far on this monumental project – you may have noticed that much of the scaffolding has been removed from the exterior of the building, which is indicative of the hard work that has already gone into the renovation.  

And when complete, the Stevens Center will stand as a vibrant hub where education, performance and community come together – expanding its role as a catalyst for connection, creativity and economic vitality across our city and region. The renovation will honor its legacy as an anchor for the arts in the Piedmont Triad while transforming it into a world-class venue where audiences can experience the power of the arts in new and inspiring ways, and a place where our students of today and tomorrow can train at the highest level.  

We are deeply grateful to our design and construction partners — architect of record Jenkins Peer Architects, design architect Steinberg Hart, and Frank L. Blum Construction Company — whose creativity and craftsmanship are bringing new life to this historic space, and to the state legislature and our many supporters for their visionary investment in making this transformation possible.

Plans call for construction on Phase 2 to begin in February 2027 with the Stevens Center reopening in 2029. You can read more details about the renovation and Phase 2 improvements, as well as view more images and an FAQ, at uncsa.edu/stevens.

I also want to note that the revitalized Stevens Center and the 411 W. Fourth St. building are two of several major cultural projects in development in downtown Winston-Salem, such as the North Carolina Museum of Art’s new downtown gallery and the creation of a new 5,000+ seat amphitheater that will attract more live music performances. With the alignment of these exciting projects, we have the unique opportunity to create something special along the Fourth and Spruce street corridor, which can become a dynamic destination that attracts new investment, supports local businesses, and drives sustained economic growth, further elevating Winston-Salem’s identity as the City of Arts and Innovation. My hope is for UNCSA to help lead that development.

Finally, I want to take a moment to thank the deans and many staff and faculty members who have contributed to this multifaceted project, which will impact UNCSA for decades to come.  

Sincerely,

Brian Cole

Chancellor