School of the Arts

Welcome to the School of the Arts, the artistic heartbeat of Charleston. Our students are taught by world-class artists/scholars in an environment that stresses experiential learning, creative collaborations, rigorous scholarship, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

During the past challenging academic year, our unwavering passion for the arts and arts education grew even stronger. The future is bright, and the school year ahead will inspire...and this video captures just that.

Graduates of our seven academic departments and programs have been accepted to many of the world’s most prestigious graduate programs and conservatories, and many of them of are professional artists and scholars working at the very highest level, while others are working in leadership roles at some of the country’s most important cultural institutions. Also, some graduates have successful careers in industries such as business, education, engineering and government, where they apply the critical thinking and creative skills gained from our School’s training. 

Learn more about our school in Dean Edward Hart's message, check out artistic/educational opportunities available, and visit the College's Virtual Visitor Center.

View our 2021-2022 event season and latest news, such as the renovation of the Simons Center for the Arts.

Video Highlights
Video HighlightSchool of the Arts: Overview: Our school is a vibrant community of practicing artists who are also dedicated teacher-scholars in art and architectural history, music, studio art, theatre, dance, arts management and historic preservation/community planning.
Video HighlightArt History Class Highlight: This art history course examines the materials and techniques of Renaissance art. Hands-on experiences combined with engaging lectures are the perfect formula for learning.
Video HighlightOverview of Theatre & Dance Studies: No matter your theatrical or dance interests, you'll find your niche at the College. The Department of Theatre and Dance provides multiple production opportunities as early as your first year.
Video HighlightLearn About Music Studies: Merging the intense focus of a conservatory with a broad education in the liberal arts, the music program is further enhanced by its location in a city renowned for its cultural heritage and devotion to the performing arts.
Video HighlightStudio Art Alumna Highlight: Lulie Martin Wallace is a young artist who has made national waves with her commercial pieces (being sold in Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie and being recognized by Southern Living, Better Homes and Garden and HGTV Magazine).
Video HighlightArts Management Alumna Highlight: Ginger Vallen plays an integral role at Carnegie Hall as the Director of Special Events. She helps coordinate more than 50 events a year including three major fundraisers which raise $2 million to $5 million each.
Video HighlightHistoric Preservation & Community Planning Major: This unique program of historic preservation, architectural and urban design, planning, and architectural and urban history prepares students for jobs and graduate studies in cultural resource management, architecture, urban design and real estate - to name a few.

School of the Arts News

SOTA: The Artistic Heartbeat of Charleston
Posted on 7 September 2021 | 10:19 pm
During the past challenging academic year, our unwavering passion for the arts and arts education grew even stronger. The future is bright, and the school year ahead will inspire. Nestled in the heart of Charleston’s historic district, the College of…
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2020-2021 School of the Arts Awards
Posted on 5 May 2021 | 6:04 am
The School of the Arts honors the achievements of a select group of students who have demonstrated excellence in their respective disciplines. Congratulations to these students! ART and ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY School of the Arts Scholars Cassandra N. Knoppel Paige Noelle…
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Katie Hirsch Takes Helm of Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at College of Charleston
Posted on 14 April 2021 | 11:10 am
The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston School of the Arts is excited to announce the appointment of a new Director. Katie Hirsch, the current Interim Director, Curator and Director of Strategic Partnerships took the helm…
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Events

Virtual Lecture: "Before the Railway: Trade & the Syrian Hajj in the Mamluk & Ottoman Periods"
September 30th from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Marcus Milwright of the University of Victoria will present the free lecture, "Before the Railway: Trade and the Syrian Hajj in the Mamluk and Ottoman Periods," via Zoom. Pre-register to receive [...]
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CofC Theatre: "Pipeline"
September 30th from 7:30 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance opens its 2021–2022 season with the play Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau.Pipeline is about Nya, an inner-city public high school teacher is committed to her stude [...]
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CofC Theatre: "Pipeline"
October 1st from 7:30 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance opens its 2021–2022 season with the play Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau.Pipeline is about Nya, an inner-city public high school teacher is committed to her stude [...]
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CofC Theatre: "Pipeline"
October 2nd from 7:30 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance opens its 2021–2022 season with the play Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau.Pipeline is about Nya, an inner-city public high school teacher is committed to her stude [...]
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CofC Gospel Choir Concert: MOJA Arts Festival
October 4th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
The College of Charleston Gospel Choir will perform for Charleston's MOJA Arts Festival, a celebration of African American and Caribbean culture.The College of Charleston Gospel Choir will present rep [...]
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Sit a Spell | Kameelah Martin
October 6th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
The Sit a Spell conversation series aims to encourage thoughtful conversation on a variety of topics and issues presented in the Halsey Institute's current exhibitions in an intimate setting within th [...]
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CofC Dance Concert: "Once More"
October 9th from 7:30 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents Once More, featuring a fresh look at a collection of dances choreographed and restaged by faculty, students and guest artists.Choreographers were invited t [...]
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CofC Dance Concert: "Once More"
October 10th from 2:00 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents Once More, featuring a fresh look at a collection of dances choreographed and restaged by faculty, students and guest artists.Choreographers were invited t [...]
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WGS Intersections: Namsa Leuba
October 11th from 7:00 pm
Join the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art and Women’s and Gender Studies Program (WGS) at the College of Charleston for a WGS-organized panel discussion around themes explored in the H [...]
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CofC Concert: Jazz Faculty Performance
October 11th from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
The Department of Music presents a concert of jazz standards and originals performed by faculty members Robert Lewis (saxophone), David Heywood (flute), Tyler Ross (guitar), Gerald Gregory (piano), Fr [...]
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International Piano Series: Bobby Mitchell
October 12th from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
American pianist Bobby Mitchell will open the 31st season of the College of Charleston International Piano Series. Mitchell is an American pianist whose interests are embedded in the here and now of m [...]
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CofC Music Concert: Alexis Davis-Hazell & Earl Hazell
November 1st from 7:30 pm
"Thank you, Marian, Thank you, Paul: A Tribute to Marian Anderson and Paul Robeson": Guest artists duo Alexis Davis-Hazell and Earl Hazell present an evening of spirituals, American songs and arias as [...]
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International Piano Series: Volodymyr Vynnytsky
November 2nd from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Internationally renowned Ukrainian pianist Volodymyr Vynnytsky performs the second concert of the International Piano Series' 31st season.Vynnytsky is laureate of the Margueritte Long-Jacques Thibaud [...]
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Fall Performance: College of Charleston Concert Choir
November 5th from 7:30 pm
Join the Department of Music for the fall performance by College of Charleston Concert Choir, directed by faculty member Robert Taylor.Presented by the Department of Music.Ticket info + link available [...]
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CofC Theatre: "A Sudden Spontaneous Event"
November 19th from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the play A Sudden Spontaneous Event by alumnus David Lee Nelson.Carole’s life is just the way she likes it. Until, that is, she wakes confused and in a s [...]
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CofC Theatre: "A Sudden Spontaneous Event"
November 20th from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the play A Sudden Spontaneous Event by alumnus David Lee Nelson.Carole’s life is just the way she likes it. Until, that is, she wakes confused and in a s [...]
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CofC Theatre: "A Sudden Spontaneous Event"
November 21st from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the play A Sudden Spontaneous Event by alumnus David Lee Nelson.Carole’s life is just the way she likes it. Until, that is, she wakes confused and in a s [...]
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Fall Concert: College of Charleston Orchestra
November 29th from 7:30 pm
Join the School of the Arts for the fall concert by the College of Charleston (chamber) Orchestra, directed by adjunct music professor Yuriy Bekker (Charleston Symphony concertmaster and principal pop [...]
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Yuletide Madrigal Feast & Entertainment
December 2nd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
The award-winning College of Charleston Madrigal Singers, conducted by Robert Taylor, will perform sacred and secular traditional holiday season carols in dinner-theater format. Each of the three even [...]
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Yuletide Madrigal Feast & Entertainment
December 3rd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
The award-winning College of Charleston Madrigal Singers, conducted by Robert Taylor, will perform sacred and secular traditional holiday season carols in dinner-theater format. Each of the three even [...]
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Yuletide Madrigal Feast & Entertainment
December 4th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
The award-winning College of Charleston Madrigal Singers, conducted by Robert Taylor, will perform sacred and secular traditional holiday season carols in dinner-theater format. Each of the three even [...]
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CofC Music: Candlelight Holiday Concert
December 6th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Join us for a holiday concert of sacred and secular music performed by College of Charleston Concert Choir and directed by faculty member Robert Taylor. Presented by the Department of Music.Ticke [...]
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CofC Music: Voice Faculty with Guest Artists
February 3rd from 7:30 pm
Soprano faculty member Saundra DeAthos and her husband, Harold Meers (tenor), perform an eclectic program ranging from romantic English art songs to traditional Italian and passionate French opera. Sp [...]
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International Piano Series: William Villaverde & Fabiana Claure
February 8th from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Husband and wife Latin American pianists William Villaverde and Fabiana Claure present the third concert of the International Piano Series' 31st season.The artists will present a musical program entit [...]
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CofC Opera: "Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)"
February 25th from 7:30 pm
Mozart's opera Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute): This classic and timeless fairytale of darkness, light and finding your way in the world explores the search for truth and reason, love and enlighten [...]
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CofC Opera: "Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)"
February 27th from 2:00 pm
Mozart's opera Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute): This classic and timeless fairytale of darkness, light and finding your way in the world explores the search for truth and reason, love and enlighten [...]
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CofC Theatre: "Everybody"
March 17th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the play Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.Finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize and inspired by Everyman (Anonymous), a 15th-century morality p [...]
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CofC Theatre: "Everybody"
March 18th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the play Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.Finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize and inspired by Everyman (Anonymous), a 15th-century morality p [...]
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CofC Theatre: "Everybody"
March 19th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the play Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.Finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize and inspired by Everyman (Anonymous), a 15th-century morality p [...]
Read More
CofC Theatre: "Everybody"
March 19th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the play Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.Finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize and inspired by Everyman (Anonymous), a 15th-century morality p [...]
Read More
CofC Theatre: "Everybody"
March 20th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the play Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.Finalist for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize and inspired by Everyman (Anonymous), a 15th-century morality p [...]
Read More
Spring Concert: College of Charleston Orchestra
March 21st from 7:30 pm
Join the Department of Music for the spring concert by the College of Charleston (chamber) Orchestra, directed by adjunct music professor Yuriy Bekker (Charleston Symphony concertmaster and principal [...]
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CofC Dance Concert: "Wanderlust"
March 26th from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Wan·der·lust /ˈwändərˌləst/ - a strong desire to travel….Why do some people experience an urge to wander or travel, while others are content to remain where they are? Dancers experience a kin [...]
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CofC Dance Concert: "Wanderlust"
March 27th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Wan·der·lust /ˈwändərˌləst/ - a strong desire to travel….Why do some people experience an urge to wander or travel, while others are content to remain where they are? Dancers experience a kin [...]
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CofC Theatre: "Cabaret" Musical
April 14th from 7:30 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the musical Cabaret by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff.In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish master ofcCeremonies welcomes [...]
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CofC Theatre: "Cabaret" Musical
April 15th from 7:30 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the musical Cabaret by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff.In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish master ofcCeremonies welcomes [...]
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CofC Theatre: "Cabaret" Musical
April 16th from 7:30 pm
The Department of Theatre and Dance presents the musical Cabaret by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff.In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish master ofcCeremonies welcomes [...]
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International Piano Series: Will Liverman & Paul Sánchez
April 19th from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Internationally recognized operatic baritone Will Liverman and acclaimed pianist Paul Sánchez will perform the final concert of the International Piano Series' 31st season.The concert will feature th [...]
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