
The School of Filmmaking's "Symposium" series opens a door into the world behind the screen, offering audiences a chance to engage with filmmakers, artists and creative thinkers from myriad disciplines who are shaping contemporary storytelling. Through screenings, conversations and engaging dialogue, each event becomes a unique space to come together and explore how art is made, why it matters and what it reveals about the world we live in.

Step into a world where music sparks imagination and storytelling takes shape. The vibrant "Cuentista!" program invites audiences on a journey through colorful landscapes, inviting characters and unforgettable tales - brought to life by the UNCSA Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds under the direction of Mark Norman.

The past and present collide as the School of Dance opens its performance season with a dynamic exploration of movement across generations. Contemporary dancers take center stage to perform works shaped by shared training, mentorship and creative exchange.

Hear the piano in conversation across time as Joshua Rupley returns to UNCSA for a residency and solo recital, tracing an arc through the piano's evolution. The program envelops the lyrical depth and clarity of Franz Schubert, the sweeping emotional intensity and structural weight of Johannes Brahms and the contemporary voice of Andrew Hirschfeld. Together, these composers guide audiences from romantic depth to modern exploration, revealing how the piano transforms through eras. Rupley is an award-winning performer and educator. A prizewinner of the Jackie McGehee Young Artists Competition and the Olga Kern International Piano Competition, he appears regularly in recital and is a dedicated advocate for contemporary music and new works. He currently teaches at the Leopold Mozart College of Music at the University of Augsburg.

Amid the upheaval of civil war in Congo, Pulitzer Prize-winning "Ruined" follows the formidable Mama Nadi, whose bar becomes a haven for women marked by violence, loss and survival. She must skillfully navigate violent power struggles while protecting those who rely on her courage and cunning.

Engage your imagination and enjoy a bold exploration of sound and identity as faculty artist Ksenija Komljenović presents a solo recital of newly created works. New works by European composers Bartek Miler, Ana Krstajić and Miloš Branisavljević highlight rhythmic precision, tonal color and expressive range. Rooted in Komljenović's heritage, the music draws on a wide spectrum of influences -- folk traditions, blues, jazz, film scoring, and video games -- blending them into a contemporary musical language shaped by agility and invention.
The Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts is proud to announce 2021-2022 Creative Catalyst Fellowships at eight cultural organizations across North Carolina and the East Coast. Applications are currently open for four of the Fellowships.
Creative Catalyst Fellowships are highly competitive, paid positions that advance artist leadership through skill-building, mentoring, and community of practice; strengthen creative community networks to better address regional gaps; foster systemic approaches to increase access, inclusion and equity; and embrace participation and exchange across the creative sector. Creative Catalyst Fellows will also gain access to educational and community-building opportunities.
The Institute's Fellowship partners reflect the Institute's aim to engage artists and communities in addressing issues such as equity, diversity and inclusion, urban and economic development and civic engagement.
Creative Catalyst Fellows will be placed with the following partners:
"The Creative Catalyst Fellowships continue the Kenan Institute's long legacy of supporting the next generation of artist leaders," said Lynda S. Lotich, Kenan Institute Interim Executive Director. "We are excited to partner with such an extraordinary, diverse group of partners for the 2021-2022 year."
For more information about the Creative Catalyst Fellowship program, contact Sunny Townes Stewart, Fellowship Program Manager.
April 5, 2021