THE ARTS
Discover the contributions the UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL
ST DIES
Our arts program urges students to think about the arts beyond the studio or stage, and consider how these disciplines intersect with society, history, literature, science, and technology. At UHS, you can investigate the creative process through a variety of lenses, including advanced technical coursework in the arts and interrogative and interpretive classes like Civilization and the Arts: A Transcultural History of the West and the World.
ARTS FACILITIES & RESOURCES
Spacious painting and drawing studio with plenty of natural light, easels, and large work tables
Ceramics studio with ten pottery wheels, three outdoor kilns, and a large indoor/outdoor work area
Wet darkroom equipped with sixteen enlargers in the photography studio
Digital photography classroom offering DSLR cameras, post-production software, and professional printing capability
Our U-Lab features traditional shop tools plus laser cutter, 3D printers, computer-controlled router, and more
Classrooms outfitted for digital projector use
Two soundproof classrooms and specifically-designed spaces to house our larger ensembles, as well as intimate chamber groups
MIDI lab/recording studio with powerhouse digital audio workstations that are loaded with state-ofthe-art software
Ample storage for our extensive instrument collection
Music library that houses our expansive collection of sheet music
Our state-of-theart theatre features raked seating with an audience capacity of over 400, catwalks with professional lighting equipment, optimum acoustical design, and cuttingedge audio and visual technologies, including LED moving lights
VIS AL ARTS
The visual arts program at UHS offers rich coursework in the fields of drawing, painting, photography, and ceramics. Classes are scaffolded from beginning to advanced, with a robust Independent Study Program providing students with chances to pursue interests outside of yearly course offerings. Our students mature into creative and conceptual thinkers as they explore different media and techniques, as well as practices and strategies that dovetail with art history courses. Reflections, critiques, and group discussions are fundamental rubrics in each course, building students’ abilities to communicate and assess their individual growth. Over time, students will build art portfolios with the potential to progress to the level of AP Studio Art.
VISUAL ARTS BEYOND UHS
We visit foundational and contemporary Bay Area institutions including SFMOMA, the de Young Museum, Minnesota Street Project, and Pier 24 Photography. Three professional artists are invited annually by the arts faculty to feature work in the Jackson St. Gallery. Our students attend prestigious summer and semester arts programs at institutions such as the Rhode Island School of Design and the Oxbow School, and some have been named California Arts Scholars by the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA). Our faculty consists of practicing visual and multimedia artists who exhibit their own work professionally.
THEATRE
We offer students a wide variety of experiences in acting, technical theatre, and theatre-making. Students learn from theatre professionals of all kinds and are given the opportunity to learn to act, dance, and sing on stage; write, direct, and produce their own short plays; design lights, sound, set, props, or costumes for a show; and stage manage a main stage production.
WE PRODUCE THREE MAJOR SHOWS EACH YEAR: A CLASSIC OR CONTEMPORARY PLAY, A MUSICAL, AND OUR ANNUAL STUDENT DRAMA SERIES, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS ADVANCED STUDENT WORK.
THEATRE
BEYOND UHS
Students regularly attend summer theatre programs such as Northwestern
University’s High School Institute in Theatre, CSSSA’s acting program and the Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Drama Program. UHS students participate in summer internships throughout the Bay Area, including at the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. We also regularly attend professional productions in the Bay Area and at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon.
M SIC
Our music program is led by some of the best musicians, conductors, and composers in the Bay Area. In this program, musicians, singers, and songwriters can dive deeply into their craft with a myriad of performance and theory classes which include: Beginning Instruments (where you can learn an instrument of your choice), Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Orchestra, Advanced Choir, Vocal Performance Experience, Electronic Music and Songwriting. We also offer the space and support to explore whatever your musical taste may be through our Music Projects class (where you can start your own band) and our Independent Studies program. With three annual school concerts and two annual project recitals, the UHS performing arts schedule will ensure you gain strong performance experience. Furthermore, carefully curated field trips will keep your finger on the pulse of the Bay Area music scene.
MUSIC BEYOND UHS
Our musicians and singers are given access to exceptional opportunities to record, compete, and perform. Advanced Jazz groups have performed at jazz festivals in New York City, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, CSU East Bay, and Reno. The album, In Full Swing, was recorded by the Jazz Ensemble at the world-famous Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Our advanced singing groups have performed in the Chanticleer Choral Festival, Junior Bach Festival, and more. Advanced musicians regularly perform at Davies Symphony Hall and the Church of John Coltrane.
ARTS CALENDAR FOR 2025-2026
FALL SEMESTER
Professional Artist Series Art Opening & Reception: Thursday, September 11, 5:00-7:00 PM
Professional Artist Series Art Opening & Reception: Tuesday, October 21, 5:00-7:00 PM
The Fall Play:
Thursday, October 23, 4:00 PM
Friday-Saturday, October 24 & 25, 7:00 PM
The Fall Concert:
Friday, November 7, 7:00 PM
Fall Music Projects Recitals:
Monday & Tuesday, December 8:00-9:00, Lunchtime
The Winter Arts Festival:
Friday, December 12, 5:00-9:30 PM
Art Show & Reception: 5:00 PM
Winter Concert: 7:00 PM
SPRING SEMESTER
Professional Artist Series Art Opening & Reception: Thursday, January 29, 5:00-7:00 PM
Student Drama Series
Thursday, February 12, 4:00 & 7:00 PM Friday, February 13, 7:00 PM
The Spring Concert: Friday, March 27, 7:00 PM
The AP Studio Art Show:
Thursday, April 23, 5:00 PM
Spring Music Projects Recitals: Thursday, April 23, 7:00 PM
Spring Musical Middle School Preview: Thursday, April 30, NOON
The Spring Musical:
Friday-Saturday, May 1-2, 7:00 PM Sunday, May 3, 5:00 PM
Spring Arts Festival:
Thursday, May 21, 5:00-9:30 PM
Art Show & Reception: 5:00 PM
End-of-Year Concert: 7:00 PM