Student Stories: The Power of Connection at Warwick Arts Centre
Our campus community makes Warwick Arts Centre unique. Students here at the University of Warwick can establish a real connection to the Arts Centre through the abundance of activities on offer and the amazing friendships that can form through the arts.
This isn’t just a place, this is a huge part of student life here at Warwick. From being a destination of creativity where students can decompress during their degree to becoming the hub for graduation, Warwick Arts Centre really is here every step of the way.
What kind of events can students participate in?
Anything and everything! The Arts Centre hosts a wide range of live events, workshops, and visual arts activities, and students are welcome to take their pick and participate. Whatever your favourite medium is, there’s an opportunity to get stuck in!
Workshop Wednesdays for weekly wellbeing
Workshop Wednesdays, held in our Foyer space, are sessions that welcome students and the community to unwind through the arts. By coming along to these free afternoons, attendees can relax and focus on wellbeing, connection, and creativity.
Through 2024/25, the Arts Centre offered 29 amazing Workshops. These spanned a variety of artforms and marked special events such as Mental Health Day, Diwali, or Lunar New Year.
The Workshops are beloved and have been described by students as “so relaxing and meditative”, leaving them “shocked (in a really good way) that this is free!”. The sessions also have no pressure of commitment, making them the ideal activity for students with busy schedules and deadlines.
Marvellous musical opportunities
The Arts Centre puts musical opportunities in motion right here on campus. Students can find plenty of ways to explore their passion for playing because of the Music Centre, from its great spaces to its awesome opportunities.
Open Mic nights are a welcoming performance space for musicians of all experience levels. Alternatively, music practice rooms provide a valuable wellbeing outlet, perfect for a study break on campus.
What’s more, we celebrate our students year-round through performances. For example, our Come and Play week included spectacular concerts from the University of Warwick Chamber Choir, the University of Warwick Piano Society, and the University of Warwick Symphony Orchestra in our beautiful world-class venue. Plus, there are plenty of exciting seasonal events to look forward to such as Wintertide and Eternal Echoes coming later this year!
Fostering student success
What could be more important for uplifting students on their creative journeys than structuring opportunities for them to flourish? For the 2023/24 academic year, the Arts Centre piloted a new student collaboration strand called PLATFORM. Now in its third year, this scheme is an amazing opportunity for students to pitch and deliver an event at Warwick Arts Centre with the support of our Creative Team.
In its first year of running, 6 student-led events were executed through PLATFORM, ranging 2 music events, 1 theatre piece, 2 creative workshops and 1 spoken word performance. Student groups that led PLATFORM events with us said: “I’m glad I applied to the PLATFORM scheme. I definitely think the experience helped me to grow as a person and as a creative. This project taught me to believe in my ideas and that there are people out there who will be happy to support you.”
PLATFORM also returned in full force through 2024/25! Why not read more about The Broken Butterfly, a student coming-of-age play which was supported through this programme?
Visual arts help students’ inspiration spark
Through Warwick Arts Centre and the Warwick Art Collection, did you know that the visual arts presence on campus is more than what’s on the walls of the Mead Gallery? Vicky Panossian, a PhD Candidate at the Sociology Department, shares her perspective on the art world that has been created at the University.
“Warwick Arts Centre in general, and the Warwick Art Collection in specific has had such a profound impact on my academic and personal experience as an international student at Warwick University. The diversity of the sculptures around campus, and the representation brought forth by the art prints has given me valuable insight about local artistic expressions and the cultural history of Warwick University. Being surrounded by such thoughtfully curated pieces has not only enhanced my sense of belonging to an institution that values art, but it has also given me a chance to encounter the universal language of art that transcends borders and cultural differences.”
By tapping into the creative heart of the University of Warwick, students enrich their university experience through exploring their favourite hobbies right here at Warwick Arts Centre, finding new passions, and even accessing career-boosting opportunities.
With plenty of discounted tickets and free events, there’s even more reason to try something new. From creating mementos, to memories, to friendships, your experience of Warwick Arts Centre is what you make it. From film to theatre, music to movement, to explore new art styles or simply to enjoy a welcoming space, Warwick Arts Centre is here for at all stages of the student journey.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
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