KENAN INSTITUTE FOR THE ARTS

History

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 using the extraordinary talents and creative energies of students, faculty, alumni, and staff to bring distinction to the University, the Kenan Institute acts as a springboard to the wider creative community. 

Since its founding, the Kenan Institute for the Arts has received generous and consistent support from the William R. Kenan, Jr. Fund for the Arts, which was established by the Trustees of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust in 1992. In particular, Frank Hawkins Kenan, who served on the original UNCSA Foundation Board, was instrumental in founding the Institute, which was named in honor of his son, Thomas S. Kenan III, in recognition of his thirty-five year association with the school, where he has served on the Foundation Board, Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors, Giannini Society, and International Music Program staff.