Patty and Malcolm Brown became actively engaged in the life of the School of the Arts soon after moving to Winston-Salem from New York in the late 1980s. Since that time, their impact on the School has been significant.  

The Browns have been members of the Giannini Society since 1991, and the Founders Society since 2000, when they established The Patricia and Malcolm Brown Endowed Fund for Theatre Training. The fund provides a merit scholarship for School of Design and Production students and underwriting for the School of Drama senior actor presentations in New York and Los Angeles. Through the years, they have made significant gifts to three other scholarship funds at NCSA.

In addition to their generous financial contributions, Patty and Malcolm Brown have donated their time, energy, and intellect to the North Carolina School of the Arts. Mrs. Brown spent three years exploring the world of costume design and construction as a student in the North Carolina School of the Arts’ School of Design and Production; and in 2004-2005 she co-chaired a highly successful campaign to finance the upfitting of the new Costume, Wig, and Make-up Building. Having experienced firsthand as a student the woeful lack of adequate classroom space, workspace, ventilation, light and equipment, Mrs. Brown felt strongly about addressing this need and was passionate about supporting this project. 

Patty Brown has been a member of the Board of Visitors since 2000 and feels she has made her greatest contribution to the School community by serving as the chair of the Design Committee for the new chancellor’s residence. Working along with the architect’s office and a small group of volunteers, she oversaw the design, construction, and furnishing of the chancellor’s condominium in Tar Branch Towers. After nearly three years of dedicating her time and talent, the space now serves as a comfortable home where the chancellor can entertain one to150 people with ease and grace.

Along with other civic interests, the Browns play active volunteer roles in the arts community, serving on boards locally, within the state of North Carolina, and nationally. In addition, education has been a top priority for them. The emphasis that they place on the education of artists has been clearly displayed in their unflagging support of School of the Arts students, faculty, and deans, and their enthusiastic, regular attendance at performances and events at the School throughout the years.

The Giannini Society was established in 1989 and was named in honor of Vittorio Giannini, a founder and the first president of the School of the Arts. Today, more than 500 individuals and families participate in this important program. This gift club recognizes supporters beginning at the $1,500 level.

The Founders Society was established in 1997 to both honor the vision of the early founders of the North Carolina School of the Arts and to acknowledge friends and patrons who have invested in the School’s future. This gift club recognizes supporters who give $25,000 or more for endowment.

The North Carolina School of the Arts was the first state-supported, residential school of its kind in the nation.  Established by the NC General Assembly in 1963, NCSA opened in Winston-Salem in 1965 and became part of the University of North Carolina in 1972.  More than 1,100 students from middle school through graduate school train for careers in the arts in five professional schools:  Dance, Design and Production (including a Visual Arts Program), Drama, Filmmaking and Music.  For more information about NCSA, visit www.ncarts.edu.