Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts

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Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts

The Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts was established in 1993 to strengthen the arts by initiating and incubating new ideas within the various constituencies and settings of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). By leveraging the extraordinary talents and creative energies of students, faculty, staff, and alumni to bring distinction to UNCSA, the Kenan Institute acts as a springboard to the broader creative community.

Art Restart podcast

Exploring how artists are reinventing their fields and building a new landscape for the arts.

Groundwater Arts

In this episode of the Art Restart podcast, theater artists Annalisa Dias and Tara Moses offer a blueprint for artists and institutions looking to align their practices with justice, sustainability and true collaboration.

Robert Gipe

In this episode of the Art Restart podcast, author Robert Gipe describes the challenges of community-wide fellowship and celebrates the role of art and artists in creating safe spaces for people of all stripes to celebrate their authentic selves.

SHHH!! Ensemble

In this episode of Art Restart, piano/percussion duo SHHH!! Ensemble explain how they've developed the "avant-accessible" style that invites audiences to take a meticulously curated and delightful musical journey.

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News from Our Creative Community

UNCSA to donate performance proceeds to Hurricane Helene relief in western North Carolina

UNCSA has announced that it will donate 100% of proceeds from ticket sales for performances from Sept. 26 through Oct. 31 to the Piedmont Triad Chapter of the American Red Cross in support of relief efforts following the effects of Hurricane Helene on western North Carolina.

Working Theater, UNCSA and Kenan Institute for the Arts forge new partnership

UNCSA, Working Theater and the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts have announced a new partnership launching with a fellowship program supporting the development of Working Theater's "La Dureza" project, a powerful exploration of the lives and struggles of delivery workers in New York City.

Tim Miller residency inspires creative liberation

The five-day residency, sponsored by the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, culminated in a presentation for the UNCSA community and gave participants inspiration and a fresh perspective on their craft.

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Kevin Bitterman, Executive Director

Theater professional and arts administrator Kevin Bitterman joined the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts as Executive Director in August 2021, bringing to the organization more than 18 years of experience as a national leader in the nonprofit arts arena. Prior to this role, Bitterman has had success as a program director, fundraiser, producer, grant maker and community leader, most recently serving as director of institutional advancement and partnerships for the Theatre Communications Group (TCG).

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