UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture (CoAA) stands as a dynamic hub for creative education, offering innovative programs in architecture, visual arts, dance, music, and theatre, alongside cutting-edge research in sustainable design, digital media, urban planning, and performing arts. Renowned for its interdisciplinary approach, the college fosters collaboration across disciplines, preparing students to excel in global creative industries through hands-on learning, state-of-the-art facilities, and partnerships with leading cultural institutions.

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UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture

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Academic Programs & Departments

CoAA houses five distinct academic units, each delivering rigorous curricula designed to merge theoretical knowledge with practical application:

• School of Architecture: Offers a NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch), emphasizing sustainable practices, urban resilience, and digital fabrication. Undergraduate minors in urban design and health & wellbeing complement the program.
• Department of Art & Art History: Features BA, BFA, MA, and PhD tracks with concentrations in illustration, photography, sculpture, and art history. The program integrates traditional techniques with emerging technologies like 3D modeling and interactive media.
• Department of Dance: Provides BFA and MFA degrees focused on choreography, performance, and dance education. Students engage with contemporary techniques, somatic practices, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Department of Music: Delivers BM, BA, and MM degrees in performance, composition, and music education. Specializations include jazz studies, orchestral conducting, and music technology.
• Department of Theatre: Offers BA and BFA programs in acting, directing, design, and stage management, with access to professional-grade theatres and workshops.

Cutting-Edge Facilities & Resources

CoAA’s campuses feature specialized spaces that mirror industry standards:

• Storrs Building: Home to the School of Architecture, equipped with robotics labs, laser cutters, and a material library for prototyping sustainable designs.
• Rowe Galleries: Rotating exhibitions showcase student and professional work, from immersive installations to international art collections.
• Robinson Hall: Dance studios with sprung floors, multimedia projection systems, and the Anne R. Belk Theater for full-scale productions.
• Belk Theater & Black Box Studios: Music and theatre students utilize acoustically tuned recital halls, recording studios, and modular performance spaces.

Experiential Learning & Global Opportunities

Students gain real-world experience through partnerships with organizations like Blumenthal Performing Arts, McColl Center for Art + Innovation, and the Charlotte Urban Design Center. Signature initiatives include:

• Community Design Projects: Architecture students collaborate on affordable housing solutions and public space revitalization across Charlotte.
• Study Abroad Programs: Semester-long exchanges in Florence, Barcelona, and Tokyo, focusing on global art history, urbanism, and performance traditions.
• Artist Residencies: Visiting artists and scholars lead workshops, critiques, and co-created installations.

Faculty Excellence & Industry Connections

CoAA’s faculty includes Pulitzer Prize-nominated composers, Guggenheim Fellows, and architects licensed in over 20 states. Notable figures include:

• Dr. Emily Makas, architectural historian specializing in post-war urbanism.
• Prof. Carlos Cruz, multimedia artist featured in MoMA and the Venice Biennale.
• Dr. Eileen Young, choreographer collaborating with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Alumni Impact & Career Pathways

Graduates hold leadership roles at firms like Gensler, Disney Theatrical Group, and the Smithsonian Institution. Recent successes include:

• Sarah Nguyen (BFA ’18), scenic designer for Broadway’s Hadestown.
• Marcus Thompson (M.Arch ’15), project lead for Amazon’s HQ2 urban design team.
• Lila Rivera (BM ’20), violinist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.

Community Engagement & Cultural Contributions

CoAA enriches Charlotte’s cultural landscape through public events such as the annual Charlotte Dance Festival, Jazz at the Gallery concert series, and Design Week Charlotte. The college also partners with local schools to provide arts integration programs, fostering creativity in K-12 education.

With a commitment to innovation, diversity, and civic engagement, the UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture continues to shape the next generation of artists, designers, and performers, while driving cultural and economic growth in the Southeast and beyond.

Programs Offered at UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture

The UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture (CoAA) provides a diverse array of programs across its five academic units, blending rigorous academics with hands-on practice. Below is a detailed breakdown of each program, including structure, outcomes, and duration.

School of Architecture

• Master of Architecture (M.Arch)
  • Description: NAAB-accredited professional degree focusing on sustainable design, urban resilience, and digital fabrication.
  • Duration: 2-3 years (depending on prior coursework).
  • Structure: Studio-based curriculum with courses in building systems, environmental ethics, and parametric design.
  • Outcomes: Prepares graduates for architectural licensure, roles in urban planning, or careers in design research.
• Undergraduate Minors
  • Urban Design: Explores placemaking, zoning laws, and public space development.
  • Health & Wellbeing: Integrates architecture with public health strategies.

Department of Art & Art History

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art
  • Description: Liberal arts-focused degree with concentrations in art history, studio art, or digital media.
  • Duration: 4 years.
  • Structure: Combines foundational courses in drawing and art theory with electives in animation or museum studies.
  • Outcomes: Careers in galleries, arts administration, or graduate study in humanities.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
  • Concentrations: Illustration, photography, sculpture, printmaking.
  • Duration: 4 years (includes senior thesis exhibition).
  • Structure: Intensive studio work, critiques, and internships with local artists.
  • Outcomes: Professional artist roles, creative direction, or MFA programs.
• Master of Arts (MA) & PhD in Art History
  • Focus Areas: Global contemporary art, Renaissance studies, or curatorial practices.
  • Duration: MA: 2 years; PhD: 4-6 years.
  • Structure: Thesis/dissertation research, museum internships, and teaching assistantships.
  • Outcomes: Academic positions, curatorial roles, or cultural heritage management.

Department of Dance

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance
  • Description: Pre-professional training in ballet, modern, and jazz techniques.
  • Duration: 4 years.
  • Structure: Daily technique classes, choreography labs, and performances in campus theaters.
  • Outcomes: Company dancers, choreographers, or dance educators.
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Dance
  • Focus: Advanced choreographic research, pedagogy, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Duration: 3 years.
  • Structure: Thesis project involving original choreography and academic writing.
  • Outcomes: University teaching, directing dance ensembles, or arts advocacy.

Department of Music

• Bachelor of Music (BM)
  • Concentrations: Performance (orchestral, vocal, jazz), composition, music education.
  • Duration: 4 years.
  • Structure: Private lessons, ensemble participation (symphony, opera, jazz bands), and recitals.
  • Outcomes: Professional performers, composers, or K-12 music educators.
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music
  • Description: Flexible program combining music theory with liberal arts electives.
  • Duration: 4 years.
  • Structure: Core courses in music history, plus electives in music technology or ethnomusicology.
  • Outcomes: Arts management, sound engineering, or graduate studies.
• Master of Music (MM)
  • Specializations: Conducting, music technology, musicology.
  • Duration: 2 years.
  • Structure: Advanced coursework, thesis or final project, and teaching opportunities.
  • Outcomes: Collegiate teaching, orchestral conducting, or audio production careers.

Department of Theatre

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre
  • Description: Broad study of acting, directing, design, and theatre history.
  • Duration: 4 years.
  • Structure: Mainstage productions, workshops, and courses in stagecraft or dramaturgy.
  • Outcomes: Careers in regional theatre, arts education, or entertainment industries.
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Acting
  • Focus: Intensive actor training via Meisner, Stanislavski, and voice/speech methods.
  • Duration: 4 years.
  • Structure: Audition-based admission; includes Shakespearean performance, film acting, and senior showcases.
  • Outcomes: Professional acting in theatre, film, or television.
• BFA in Theatre Design & Technology
  • Concentrations: Scenic, lighting, or costume design; stage management.
  • Duration: 4 years.
  • Structure: Hands-on work in campus theaters, collaboration with guest designers, and portfolio development.
  • Outcomes: Design roles for Broadway, touring productions, or event production companies.

Each program at CoAA emphasizes experiential learning, mentorship from industry-active faculty, and opportunities to engage with Charlotte’s thriving arts community, ensuring graduates are prepared to lead in their creative fields.

Contact Information for the College of Arts + Architecture at UNC Charlotte:

Address:

9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223

Phone:

704-687-0100

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CLTCOAA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clt_coaa/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@clt_coaa/featured
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cltarts/albums