Among Houston's numerous institutions of higher education are the University of Houston (founded in 1927 and now with three campuses in the city); Texas Southern University (1947); the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center (1972); the Houston Community College System (1971); and private institutions such as Rice University (1891), Baylor College of Medicine (1900), the University of St. Thomas (1947), Houston Baptist University (1960), and South Texas College of Law (1923).
Prominent historical and cultural institutions include the Civic Center Complex, located in the central business district. The complex is composed of the George R. Brown Convention Center; the Wortham Center, which is the home of the Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Ballet; and the Jesse H. Jones Hall for Performing Arts, which is the home of the Houston Symphony. The nearby Alley Theatre houses a professional repertory acting company. Among other local professional performance groups are the Main Street Theater and Theatre Under the Stars.
