UNCSA Archives

Explore UNCSA Archives collections by searching or browsing finding aids in the UNCSA Archives Collections Database. Some collections are not yet described in the Collections Database, or may have only a general description; however, a full list of collections is available below. As Archives staff organize and describe collections, new finding aids will be added to the database.

Certain collections or items may not be accessible because they are unprocessed; for reasons related to the confidentiality of personnel, student, medical, and other legally protected records; or due to the format or fragile nature of the material. Read more about using Archives material and contact the Archives to discuss your area of interest.

A finding aid is a document written by archivists that describes a collection of archival records, personal papers, or other material. It is a tool to help researchers determine if the materials in a collection relate to their research, find where materials are located, and understand and interpret the materials they are using. 

Each finding aid contains information on:

• the title of the collection,
• who created the materials, if known,
• dates of the records,
• size of the collection (extent),
• how the material came to the UNCSA Archives, and
• access restrictions, if any.

Some finding aids also include information on:

• the history or biography of the creator of the records (Historical Note),
• how the materials are organized (usually in the Collection Scope and Content Note),
• inventories or contents lists of boxes or folders in a collection, and
• selected topics covered by the records.

For more information on finding aids, visit The Hows and Whys of Finding Aids by Dorothy Berry.

Archives Collections are divided into two groups: Records Groups and Manuscript Collections. Record Groups consist of the historical records of the school that have been transferred to the Archives from other departments. These collections include material such as meeting minutes, reports, correspondence, campus publications, sound and video recordings, event programs, photographic materials, and other significant records generated in the day-to-day activities of a School or department. Manuscript Collections include material related to and illustrating the history of the school and/or the creative and professional lives of alumni and other performing artists with ties to UNCSA.