Table of Contents
University of the Arts has helped further the education and creativity of thousands of students who have passed through its halls and the halls of its predecessors since its founding in 1876. Many of our alumni have changed the face of art, music, and dance through their accomplishments and influence. While it is impossible to list the impact of every UArts alumni, the purpose of this guide is to provide information on a small number of these notable alumni and reveal the importance and influence of University of the Arts.
This page is always under active construction. If you have questions please see our University Archives page.
UArts Name Change History
1870: Philadelphia Musical Academy (PMA) founded¹
1876: Pennsylvania Museum & School of Industrial Art (PMSIA) founded. Museum is now Philadelphia Museum of Art; school is UArts College of Art, Media & Design (CAMD)²
1877: Philadelphia Conservatory of Music (PCM) founded¹
1883: Philadelphia Textile School joins PMSIA²
1938: PMSIA becomes Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art²
1944: Philadelphia Dance Academy (PDA) founded¹
1949: Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art becomes Philadelphia Museum School of Art (PMSA). Philadelphia Textile School separates from Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art, is now Thomas Jefferson University.²
1959: Philadelphia Museum School of Art becomes Philadelphia Museum College of Art (PMCA)²
1962: PCM merges with PMA; continues under PMA name¹
1964: Philadelphia Museum College of Art becomes Philadelphia College of Art (PCA); separates from Philadelphia Museum of Art.²
1976: PMA becomes Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts (PCPA)¹
1977: PCPA absorbs Philadelphia Dance Academy¹
1985: PCA and PCPA join to form Philadelphia Colleges of the Arts³
1987: Philadelphia Colleges of the Arts becomes University of the Arts (UArts)³
¹ performing arts
² visual arts
³ UArts
Further information on UArts name changes
This new Notable Alumni guide was launched in February, 2023.
For the original guide please visit Notable University of the Arts Alumni.