Welcome
your future
The UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture is a community of curious individuals and skilled problem solvers who care about the impact of our work. Through education, expertise, and leadership, the College models excellence in teaching, scholarly and creative research, and performance in five creative disciplines: architecture, art and art history, dance, music, and theatre.
find your home
Architecture
Dance
theatre
Music
art & art history
100+
Events Each Year
~1000
Students
33
Degrees & Concentrations
At unc Charlotte, the city is your classroom
Whether it’s cultural or design internships, performance opportunities, museum visits, or coffee shop study sessions, students are constantly inspired by the vibrant, creative energy of the city. See how students thrive in the heart of Charlotte!
UNC Charlotte Jazz Ensemble performs on Uptown Stage
The UNC Charlotte Jazz Ensemble, directed by Will Campbell, journeyed uptown to present a night of swinging Sinatra tunes at the Booth Playhouse in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center!
“I’d really like to see the public interact with the windows and see the potential for microalgae in building systems,” says student Constance Sartor. “Incorporating an entirely new system like this into sustainable design can really help us push the limits on what we can do with sustainable architecture in the future,” student Josh Davids continues.
Architecture students bring energy-efficient design to the city
Housed Uptown in the Innovation Barn, Professor of Architecture Kyoung-Hee Kim and her students are developing a window system that uses microalgae to make buildings more energy-efficient.
“I’d really like to see the public interact with the windows and see the potential for microalgae in building systems,” says student Constance Sartor. “Incorporating an entirely new system like this into sustainable design can really help us push the limits on what we can do with sustainable architecture in the future,” student Josh Davids continues.
Dance students perform at Uptown historic church to share untold stories
Based on oral histories and featuring Hip-Hop artist YUNG Citizen, the Charlotte Strings Collective, literary artist Malika J Stevely, and dance professor Ashley Tate with dance alumni, “Brooklyn to Browne’s Ferry” told the inspiring story of Grace A.M.E. Zion Church and the move from its historic building to a new home.
“I’d really like to see the public interact with the windows and see the potential for microalgae in building systems,” says student Constance Sartor. “Incorporating an entirely ” student Josh Davids continues.
Students thrive in Uptown Charlotte cultural internships
Nestled in the heart of our vibrant city, students are uniquely positioned to take advantage of the bustling cultural landscape of Charlotte. Each semester, students work with renowned museums, galleries, arts organizations, design firms, and architecture firms in uptown Charlotte.
“This internship has allowed me to gain experience and knowledge in a professional environment, specifically in the music industry. Music is a catalyst for a stronger, more connected community,” says former intern with the Charlotte Symphony and music student May Bahizad.
What can you do with a degree in the arts and design?
As the College of Arts + Architecture, we reaffirm the value of bringing the arts and design together in common purpose. And we celebrate the amazing community that demonstrates the power of these disciplines to shape the world. Check out alumni spotlights on each of our department pages to meet some of our fantastic alumni!
Marideth Telenko, BA in Dance with a concentration in Performance, Choreography, and Theory ‘20, is a professional dancer/choreographer and half of the viral dance duo @cost_n_mayor with over 7M TikTok followers! Her recent projects include choreographing productions of Waitress at La Mirada Theatre in Los Angeles, going on tour with Pentatonix, and dancing in major campaigns for NBC, Target, Amazon Prime, Disney, Kate Spade, and many more.
Kalin Devone, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with a concentration in painting ‘15, is a working artist in Charlotte, who has been involved in the creation of various murals across the city, along with commissioned orders for paintings. Her recent projects include working with PUMA and Footlocker to debut Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball’s new clothing release, creating a painting for Charlotte FC commemorating Juneteenth, and other commissions for T-mobile, F1 Las Vegas, Micheals, Harris Teeter, Procter and Gamble, Whiteclaw, and many more.
Jack Taggart, Bachelor of Creative Arts ‘88, is a textile artist on feature films being made all over the United States, in Europe, and beyond. Jack has worked on a long A-list of films — Guardians of the Galaxy (2 and 3), Dunkirk, the Avatar franchise, Top Gun: Maverick, Black Panther, and The Dark Knight Rises, to name a few. Top Hollywood directors like Clint Eastwood (with whom he’s done 14 films), Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino, the Coen Brothers, Tim Burton, Denis Villeneuve, and Christopher Nolan all come to him for his expertise.
Alaa Bou Ghanem, Master of Architecture ’20 and Bachelor of Arts in Architecture ’18, is a Lebanese-American Architect born and raised in the small town of Ramleh. Alaa worked with the renowned company, Little Diversified Architectural Consulting for five years before becoming the CEO and founder of his own architecture firm, AB Group. While at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, he worked on projects for the National Museum of Korean Literature and Silicone Valley’s SPARK, among many more.
Emily Golden, BM, Music Education (K-12) ’22, is the Director of Bands at East Burke High School in Connelly Springs, NC, and the Youth Symphony Conductor for the Western Piedmont Symphony!. In 2024, she was a quarter-finalist for the 2024 Music Educator GRAMMY Awards, established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education.
upcoming events
Behind the scenes of student life
You can keep exploring our website to learn about our programs, but if you really want to see what life is like in our college, follow us at @CLT_COAA on Instagram! Some of our fav series we’re currently sharing are #ArtistsOfCoAA, #ToolsOfTheTrade, and student takeovers!
recent news
December 5, 2024
Non-traditional student Jessica Franco’s work is informed by her peer mentorship.
December 4, 2024
International graduate student Amir Heydarpour receives his M.Arch. this month.
December 2, 2024
MJR Jazz Scholar Adam Kallestad is ready to teach the next generation.
November 27, 2024
MacKillop Scholar Zoe Turner graduates this semester with a BFA in Art and minors in art history and theatre.
faculty spotlights
JASON DUNGEE
Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities
MONA AZARBAYJANI
Professor of Architecture and Director of Graduate Programs
CHRISTINA SINGER
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design
ROBIN WITT
Professor of Directing
JONATHAN DESSI-OLIVE
Associate Professor of Architecture in Building Technology + Design Integration
MARISSA NESBIT
Assistant Professor of Dance; Dance Education Coordinator
ERIC MILLARD
Assistant Professor of Trumpet
ASHLEY TATE
Assistant Professor of Dance
JEFF MURPHY
Associate Professor of Digital Media/Digital Photography
TAMARA WILLIAMS
Assistant Professor of Dance
Discover the benefits of attending UNC Charlotte, with our strong connections to the city, robust academic programs, and vibrant student life! Visiting campus is the best way for prospective students to get to know UNC Charlotte. Attend info sessions on topics such as academics, campus life, and support services, take guided tours of various spaces on campus, and speak directly with students and faculty to learn more about Niner Nation.