Commencement
The Class of 2023 Commencement will take place Thursday, May 18, at 10 a.m. in the Academy of Music, located at 240 S. Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
The event will also be livestreamed, available to anyone on any device that has access to Wi-Fi and will include the Commencement traditions that make UArts’ graduation unique: student performances, a graduating student valedictory address, honoring exceptional alumni , awards bestowed on students and faculty and the conferral of honorary degrees upon illustrious artists who will address our graduates. Visit the Commencement website or YouTube to view the livestream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Venue
Where is the event taking place?
The event will take place at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102.
Ceremony
Commencement will be held Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Doors open at 9 a.m., and the ceremony processional begins promptly at 10 a.m.
The ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. and lasts until approximately 1 p.m. EDT.
Yes. The Samba Band recessional will lead students and their guests directly to Solmssen Court in Hamilton Hall for a reception with light refreshments immediately following the event.
Guests are welcome to view the live stream from any device with wi-fi at commencement.uarts.edu (or after the event on YouTube, by searching UArts Commencement and add year of event)
We also have remote viewing in our on-campus, remote viewing location in our comfortable, accessible and air-conditioned Caplan Recital Hall, 17th floor, in Terra Hall. No ticket is required for this viewing.
You do not need to watch the ceremony live; you can view it on YouTube. Search “University of the Arts Commencement” and add your graduating year.
LifeTouch will send an email to your UArts account within two weeks of the ceremony so you can purchase your photos. You may also search its database on Lifetouch’s site two weeks after your ceremony for yours and other ceremony photos.
Award Ceremonies & Graduate Hooding Ceremony
Your school will notify you via your UArts email account as to when, where and if you are an awardee. Check with your school directly for more information.
Your school will notify you via your UArts email account as to when and where that event will take place. Check with your school directly for more information.
Tickets
Students may pick up their cap, gown and tickets all at the same time during the 15 Days to Graduation event on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 between 10am-6pm in Hamilton Hall.
Three—the number of tickets we give each eligible graduating student is based on the amount of seats available in the venue versus the amount of graduates walking in the class.
Once tickets are picked up by graduates, we will see if anyone has returned tickets or given them back for other students to use. After 6 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2023, commencement@uarts.edu will send out an email to graduating students stating that we are holding a lottery for any leftover tickets. Students can then reply via their UArts email with the amount of tickets they wish to apply for, and we run our lottery system. Again, it depends on tickets given back or not picked up by other students. Our office does our very best to accommodate everyone who needs additional tickets based on what has been turned back in.
Announcements, Frames, Area Hotels, Parking
To order a diploma frame or create UArts branded graduation announcements, use this link through the UArts Bookstore.
Questions? Contact shop@uarts.edu
Please visit our listing of Local Hotel partners.
Visit Philly: Use a parking locator or look for garages, kiosks and meterUp.
Spot Hero: Reserve Philadelphia parking in advance, online or through this free app.
Have more questions? Feel free to email commencement@uarts.edu.