The Arts at ULS | Creativity, Expression, and Innovation

Empowering Artists. Inspiring Excellence.

From Studio to Stage - A Launchpad for Life

At University Liggett School, the Department of Creative and Performing Arts is more than a collection of creative classes - it's a dynamic program that drives student development and shapes young artists for life. Starting in early childhood and progressing through the Upper School, students explore drama, dance, vocal and instrumental music, and visual arts through both classroom instruction and co-curricular activities. From student-led projects to professional performances, ULS’ arts program provides the foundation for a lifetime of creative excellence.

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A Nationally Recognized Leader

ULS has a proud history of leadership in arts education, both in philosophy and in practice. As a nationally recognized leader, ULS has contributed to curriculum development at the state and national levels, setting standards that others strive to meet. Our program ensures that every student, regardless of grade level, experiences all four core arts disciplines - drama, music, and visual arts. Through the lens of the Liggett Approach, our students can dive deeper into a chosen discipline, cultivating long-term connections to their craft.

Expert Faculty

Our arts faculty are not just educators - they're practicing artists with a deep commitment to both their craft and their students. This balance between professional artistry and teaching excellence ensures that students receive an education grounded in real-world experience. Our faculty’s passion for the arts is infectious, inspiring students to pursue their own creative paths with vigor.

World-Class Facilities

The Manoogian Arts Wing serves as the heart of our Creative and Performing Arts program, giving students access to phenomenal resources unavailable at most schools. With over 30,000 square feet of dedicated art space, it houses expansive art display areas, a recital hall, and specialized classrooms that support artistic exploration and expression. Both ULS students and professional visiting artists showcase their work in this professional gallery setting. Our 390-seat performance theater provides a stage for students to produce, direct, and star in original and classical performances. It also includes a state-of-the-art light and sound room, and orchestra pit.

Whether they’re athletes, musicians, or performers, ULS students explore multiple passions with rigor, discipline, and deep respect for the artistic process.

The Liggett Approach: Bringing the Arts to Life

What sets our program apart - beyond our expert faculty and state-of-the-art facilities - is our signature Liggett Approach model. This innovative framework empowers young artists to take ownership of their creative journeys, and to build vital skills and confidence along the way.

Learn More about the Liggett Approach

“Liggett is really a special place, I’m lucky to have gone there from kindergarten through graduation. It helped me become what I am. It was clear from day one that I was going to be an artist and I never lost sight of that goal. My teachers at ULS helped me to attain my goal.”
Josh Moulton ‘96

Student-Centered Learning

Only a handful of schools nationwide embrace the student-led approach as fully as ULS does. Here, students aren’t just participants - they are the artists. Whether composing their own music, directing productions, curating and installing visual art gallery displays, students have the autonomy to make creative choices, fostering ownership and artistic buy-in. This highly unique approach nurtures leadership skills and instills a sense of responsibility and accomplishment in every project they undertake.

The Liggett Approach

Excellence Through Rigor

At ULS, we believe that true mastery comes from a disciplined, skill-oriented approach. Our arts program is designed to challenge students, with projects that carefully scaffold skills and set high expectations for achievement.

Whether participating in external competitions or honing their craft in the classroom, our students rise to the occasion, achieving excellence through rigor. This commitment to high standards has produced standout students who have gone on to prestigious institutions like SCAD, NYU Tisch, and beyond.

The Liggett Approach

Strategies That Drive Growth

Bringing their professional expertise, passion, and innovation to the classroom, our faculty offer projects that foster creativity and skill development. With a focus on individual growth, value is placed on process and craftsmanship as much as the end product.

Our approach is tailored to each age level, ensuring that students have the support and structure they need to succeed while also experiencing the freedom to make bold choices in their artistic endeavors.

The Liggett Approach

Practical Learning for Life

The skills students acquire in our arts program extend far beyond the classroom. Whether they are building a set, throwing a pot, or publishing a print magazine, students develop a level of craftsmanship that serves them in all areas of life.

Alumni often return to share how their experiences in ULS’ arts program helped launch their careers, providing them with the confidence, skills, discipline, and creativity needed to succeed in the real world.

The Liggett Approach

Alumni in the Arts

Our alumni continue to leave an artistic footprint on the world - embracing their passions, attending elite art institutions, and honing their talents to shape the fine, performing, and applied arts. They have gone on to become Broadway performers, professional photographers, jazz musicians, visual artists, digital animators, TV actors, and more.

Explore our Alumni Arts Hall of Fame