History of SPA

About the School of Performing Arts

The School of Performing Arts (SPA), University of Ghana, is the premier institution for comprehensive training in the performing arts. It continues to attract students, practitioners, and faculty from across the globe, earning recognition for its pioneering role in developing African music, dance, and drama as serious academic disciplines. Admission into the School is highly competitive, with a rigorous selection process that often includes auditions to assess candidates’ creative potential, ensuring quality and excellence in enrolment.

History

The School traces its origins to the School of Music and Dance, established in October 1962 within the Institute of African Studies. Initially created to train a National Dance Company and instrumentalists for a National Orchestra, it later expanded to include Drama and Theatre Studies through collaboration with the Institute of Arts and Culture.
Its founding objectives were:
• To apply research findings in African Music, Dance, and Drama from the Institute of African Studies.
• To provide a platform for creative experimentation towards building a national theatre movement, dance ensemble, and orchestra.
• To promote the use and development of African material in academic and performance programmes.
In 1977–1978, the School formally became the School of Performing Arts, with the mandate to train musicians, composers, conductors, performers, and teachers both academically and professionally. Three departments were established: Dance, Drama, and Music.

Administration

The School was originally headed by a Director, supported by Heads of Department, while its Resident Theatre Company (Abibigromma) was led by an Artistic Director. The Efua Theodora Sutherland Drama Studio, managed by faculty, became the primary venue for training and performances. Financially, the School operated as a self-accounting unit of the University.

Programmes

Today, the School comprises three departments: Theatre Arts, Dance Studies, and Music. Together, they offer a wide range of programmes including diploma, undergraduate (BA, BFA, B.Mus), and graduate (MA, MFA, MPhil, and PhD) degrees. Additionally, the Departments of Music and Dance Studies run non-degree diploma programmes.


SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS’ ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Name of School Administrator: Ms. Beatrice Adobea Ohene-Addo
Email address: aohene-addo@ug.edu
Telephone number: 0243113256