The University of North Carolina School of the Arts is America's first state-supported public university of arts conservatories. With a high school component, UNCSA is a degree-granting institution that trains young people of talent in dance, design and production, drama, filmmaking, and music. Academic studies are part of the high school and college programs. Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1963, the School of the Arts opened in Winston-Salem ("The City of Arts and Innovation") in 1965 and became part of the University of North Carolina system when it was formed in 1972. While they have impressive academic credentials, UNCSA faculty are selected for their experience and expertise in the arts. They have had and continue to have successful careers in the arts - from American Ballet Theatre to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Noted guest artists frequently bring lessons directly from the contemporary arts world. In addition to meeting UNC system academic standards, students must audition or present a portfolio for admission to UNCSA. Students are chosen specifically for their demonstrated talent and potential as artists. UNCSA has an amazing 8-to-1 student to faculty ratio. Students, faculty and guest artists present more than 300 public performances and screenings annually at UNCSA. Audiences say these performances are comparable to what they have seen in New York, on Broadway. Performance is an integral part of the training program. UNCSA is the exclusive Educational Affiliate School of American Ballet Theatre, one of the world's foremost dance companies, and a partner school of the Prix de Lausanne, one of the world's most prestigious dance competitions. More than 95 percent of Design and Production students find employment in their field after graduation. Many have jobs lined up before graduation. The UNCSA film school is the only undergraduate program in the country that provides 100 percent of funding for students to make their films. Other film programs require their students to fundraise for their films. UNCSA's School of Music is home to the prestigious A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute, which provides world-class training for emerging opera professionals. Several UNCSA voice alumni have won or been finalists in the Metropolitan Opera National Council competition. UNCSA is a partner and sponsor of the Sundance Film Festival, and typically has numerous alumni involved with films chosen to screen at the festival. UNCSA continues to lead in rankings. In 2015, Money magazine ranked UNCSA 38th out of over 700 best colleges; it was the highest ranked public university in North Carolina, and the highest ranked arts specialty school. In 2015, The Hollywood Reporter ranked UNCSA's drama school 6th in the world; and the UNCSA's film school, 14th in the country. In 2014, Backstage.com named UNCSA's drama school to its list of "7 colleges where Tony winners trained." UNCSA alumni have won or been nominated for all of the major awards in the entertainment industry, including Tony, Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe. Among the many alumni working in the arts today are Gillian Murphy, principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre; Paul Tazewell, costume designer (Broadway's Hamilton); Dane DeHaan, actor (James Dean in LIFE); director/producer David Gordon Green (MANGLEHORN); and Lisa Kim, violinist with the New York Philharmonic, one of five UNCSA alumni to have been a member of the NY Phil over the years. UNCSA students and alumni have been invited to the White House twice. The first was the New World Saxophone Quartet, whose members played for (and with) President Bill Clinton; in 2015, the Halloween Light Project, for President Barack Obama. UNCSA has more alumni at Cirque du Soleil than any other school. More than 80 of our Design and Production graduates work behind the scenes for Cirque around the world as technicians, designers, etc.
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