Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts

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Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts

The Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts was established in 1993 to strengthen the arts by initiating and incubating new ideas within the various constituencies and settings of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). By leveraging the extraordinary talents and creative energies of students, faculty, staff, and alumni to bring distinction to UNCSA, the Kenan Institute acts as a springboard to the broader creative community.

Art Restart podcast

Exploring how artists are reinventing their fields and building a new landscape for the arts.

Curator Coka Treviño Talks Big Medium, Huge Loss

In this episode of the Art Restart podcast, curator Coka Treviño reflects on her tenure at Big Medium and offers a candid window into just how difficult it has become for arts organizations–even in culturally rich, economically booming cities like Austin–to maintain operations.

Ryan J. Haddad Claims His Spotlight and Access for All

In this episode of the Art Restart podcast, actor and playwright Ryan J. Haddad reflects on the pivotal experiences that shaped his journey as an artist, from performing fairy tales in his childhood living room to commanding major stages and screens and advocating for authentic representation and accessibility in the arts.

Filmmaker Carlos López Estrada Uplifts Indie Voices with Antigravity

In this episode of the Art Restart podcast, filmmaker Carlos López Estrada discusses the Antigravity Academy and describes how his experiences in Hollywood shaped its mission and programs and why empowering new voices is helping to bring surprising stories to the screen and also making him a better artist.

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News from Our Creative Community

Kenan Institute

Kenan Institute for the Arts provides UNCSA alumni opportunities for global connectivity through La MaMa Umbria's summer residency

Six UNCSA alumni participated in the La MaMa Umbria International Symposium for Directors and Playwrights, an artist residency in Italy fostering global collaboration. Sponsored by the Kenan Institute for the Arts, the experience deepened their artistic perspectives, expanded creative networks, and inspired new work, reaffirming their commitment to theater and storytelling.

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S/OURCE winter intensive delivers training and wellness practice for UNCSA dancers

UNCSA's first-ever winter dance intensive, S/OURCE, created with Stewart/Owen Dance Company, offered classes in mindfulness, career prep, and cinedance, easing students into the semester while equipping them with tools for sustainable success, onstage and beyond.

Kenan Institute

Kenan Institute for the Arts supports UNCSA faculty members by expanding their creativity and pedagogy through Penland workshops

Nestled in the mountains of North Carolina, Penland School of Craft became a creative haven for three UNCSA faculty members during summer 2024. Supported by the Kenan Institute for the Arts, they explored glassblowing, ceramics, and letterpress in immersive workshops led by world-class artists.

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Kevin Bitterman, Executive Director

Theater professional and arts administrator Kevin Bitterman joined the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts as Executive Director in August 2021, bringing to the organization more than 18 years of experience as a national leader in the nonprofit arts arena. Prior to this role, Bitterman has had success as a program director, fundraiser, producer, grant maker and community leader, most recently serving as director of institutional advancement and partnerships for the Theatre Communications Group (TCG).

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