A new “theme house” is opening today on the Union College campus. The Association of Ridiculously Talented Students, or ARTS – is moving into its new home in the renovated Kappa Sig residence at 201 Seward Place.
“Our goal is to foster all forms of creativity on campus, as well as communication between various liberal arts departments and organizations,” said Michele Curiale '07, head of ARTS House.
Theme houses are student initiated, student-run living areas that often occupy a wing or a floor of a residence hall. Theme housing involves small groups of students (the largest house has fewer than 40 students) who share common interests and work toward a common goal.
If space is available for a theme house, the interested students present a proposal to the college's Student Affairs Council (SAC), which looks at what kind of contributions the house will make to the Union community and how the house will enhance the cultural and intellectual life on campus.
This group began as a quest for “good housing for several of my like-minded friends; visual artists, musicians, dancers, actors and writers,” said Curiale. “An arts-themed house had never been done here before. We wanted to bridge the divide between artists and the rest of the campus, while bringing the focus back to Union's liberal arts side.”
Alex Thompson, an assistant director of Residential Life, said, “They're a bunch of involved kids who want to make a difference on campus, and we look forward to working with them.”
House members will begin on a variety of projects, including a newsletter dedicated to “campus-wide creative happenings,” collaborations with other Union groups and clubs, such as Kids Helping Kids, and a Halloween face painting extravaganza.
They've also been decorating Strauss Lounge on the third floor of Reamer Campus Center.