UNCSA celebrates 60 years of excellence in North Carolina and beyond

On June 21, 1963, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation to create the nation’s first publicly funded arts conservatory. With an initial appropriation of $325,000, the North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA) was born. 

In just two years, Winston-Salem was selected as the home for the new school, thanks to the remarkable generosity of the community, who raised more than $850,000 in a two-day “Dial for Dollars” campaign. On Sept. 7, 1965, the very first high school classes began, and the doors opened for undergraduate students two weeks later, on Sept. 21.  

Over the next six decades, NCSA grew into the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), expanding to include five world-class conservatories, pioneering international programs, and fueling the arts and innovation in Winston-Salem and beyond. UNCSA alumni have won Oscars, Tonys, Emmys and Grammys; its faculty and guest artists have brought global distinction to its stages; and its performances and productions have inspired countless audiences. 

From its founding vision to its present-day role as a leader in arts education, UNCSA has been defined by resilience, innovation and artistry. What began as a daring idea in the 1960s is now a vibrant, thriving conservatory that continues to shape the future of the arts.  

Explore the timeline below to relive six decades of moments that shaped UNCSA.