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Who We Are

Welcome to the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts at the University of Houston, a dynamic home of creativity and collaboration in one of America’s most artistically vibrant and culturally diverse cities. Bringing together the performing and visual arts entities at the University of Houston, the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts has the ability to harness the power of the arts to ultimately impact our world. Our award-winning, internationally- distinguished faculty provides top-quality instruction to the talented, emerging student artists from more than thirty programs of study. The Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts seeks to positively impact the community and to empower our students to use their talents to change the world.

Mission and Values

The arts open the world and the world of the mind. The arts are confined to no one method and no one space, but rather engage and connect individuals, institutions, communities, and cultures. The Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts believes in the essentiality of the mastery of craft and tradition, as well as in the importance of reimagining the possibilities of creative practices. The mission of the College is to provide a space in which to master craft, value collaboration, and act on the belief that the arts have the power to positively shape our world.

Performance Facilities

  • Wortham Theatre

    Opened in 1977, cosmetic renovation and new seating 2001, rigging and electrical renovation 2013. The Wortham Theatre is a 566-seat proscenium theatre with a trapped apron/orchestra pit, trapped stage, and counterweight rigging system. The proscenium opening and stage area closely resembles most Broadway and many LORT theatres. Two dressing rooms with 18 makeup stations each are shared with the Quintero Theatre.

  • Quintero Theatre

    Opened in 1977, renovated in 2013, The Quintero is a 50’x 50’ black box theatre with re-configurable seating risers and 179 seats. The renovation of 2013 turned this black box theatre into a state of the art digital and LED installation. The room has a fixed pipe grid at 18’ and a resilient wood floor. The Quintero is one of the few fully digital and large scale LED installations in the country.

  • Moores Opera Center

    The 797-seat Moores Opera House stands as the premiere performing arts facility on the University of Houston campus. Outfitted with state-of-the-art technology to complement the talent of musicians, dancers and actors alike, the Opera House also hosts formal university events and is in demand to house the events of many organizations around the city and country.

  • The Beckerath Organ in the Organ Recital Hall of the Fine Arts Building is the main instrument on the UH campus for teaching and recitals. The Beckerath Organ is used by the UH organ students for regularly scheduled practice sessions, lessons, organ-related courses, many degree recitals, and choral accompaniments. The hall is dedicated to the organ program 24-hours per day, seven days per week.