UW-Madison Students Cultivate Creativity Through Accessible Arts Programs
The financial pressures of college life can often limit students’ access to recreational and creative pursuits. But, the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a wealth of free and low-cost resources, thanks to the dedication of student leaders, allowing students to explore their artistic interests without breaking the bank.
From film screenings and filmmaking opportunities to culinary workshops and a lending library of games and tools, UW-Madison provides a vibrant ecosystem for student creativity and community building.
WUD Film: A Campus Cinema
WUD Film, a student-run organization, brings a diverse lineup of movies to the UW-Madison campus and surrounding community. Located in Union South’s Marquee Theater, WUD Film hosts hundreds of free film screenings each year, showcasing everything from Hollywood blockbusters to independent, international, and documentary films, as well as late-night cult favorites. Learn more about WUD Film here.
“We endeavor to cater to every movie opinion on this campus,” says Emma Weishaar, WUD Film Director. “We’re trying to be a movie theater for every student.”
Beyond the screenings themselves, WUD Film fosters a strong sense of community. Weishaar emphasizes the social aspect, noting that many attendees come not just for the films but also for the opportunity to connect with others. “Watching something alone seems solitary,” she said. “But when you’re in an auditorium watching and experiencing something with a bunch of people, that’s where the movie magic is.”
WUD Film Committee meetings are held on Mondays from 7-8 p.m. At Union South during the academic year. Interested students can find room locations listed in the TITU (Today in the Union) and can contact film@union.wisc.edu for more information.
Cinemadison: From Spectator to Filmmaker
For students interested in creating their own films, Cinemadison provides the space and support to do so. The organization offers workshops, script editing assistance, and opportunities to collaborate on short film productions. Find Cinemadison on Instagram.
Stuart Frohna, Vice President of Cinemadison, highlights that prior filmmaking experience is not required. “Most of our members come in with little to no knowledge or experience with filmmaking, which is fine and we encourage that,” Frohna said. “We aid people through workshops, and we get them active roles on sets.”
Frohna emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the importance of storytelling. “Filmmaking is one of the best ways to tell stories…Being able to see that and also interact with those people and build relationships with them has been my favorite part.”
Cinemadison meets on Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. In Sterling Hall.
College Library: Beyond Books
The College Library extends its resources beyond traditional books, offering a recreation collection of Playstation, Xbox, and board games available for student rental. The library’s tool library provides access to equipment like sewing machines, glass cutters, and wood carving tools. Explore the College Library’s tool library.
Ian Benton, the user experience coordinator for Undergraduate Library Services, explains that the library aims to support students’ overall well-being. “The experience of being a college student is not just academics…recreation is an important part of that. It ties into health, emotional wellbeing and just being able to have fun.”
The library welcomes student input on collection additions and purchase requests.
WUD Cuisine: A Taste of Community
WUD Cuisine offers students the opportunity to enhance their culinary skills through workshops and demonstrations led by professional chefs. The organization focuses on cultural immersion by featuring chefs with diverse backgrounds and providing take-home recipes. Learn more about WUD Cuisine.
Hailey Stubler, Associate Director for Cooking Demonstrations, emphasizes the social aspect of cooking. “Cuisine is a really good resource for finding people…Most people can connect over food. We help you get creative and express yourself while also forming connections.”
WUD Cuisine also prioritizes sustainability, minimizing food waste by ensuring any leftover ingredients are utilized.
WUD Cuisine members meet on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. At Union South. Event signups and updates can be found on their Instagram page @wudcuisine.
These organizations represent just a fraction of the creative resources available to students at UW-Madison. As Frohna aptly put it, “Art is something we fundamentally do as humans, and having access to all different types of arts at school is very important.”