Culture & Arts
Union offers numerous arts and cultural programs and events for the campus community and our neighbors in Schenectady and the Capital Region.
Art
The Mandeville Gallery, located in the historic Nott Memorial, presents art, science and history exhibitions throughout the year, as well as related gallery talks, lectures and performances. The Union College Permanent Collection holds more than 2,500 works of art and artifacts and offers academic and research support. The Wikoff Student Gallery is dedicated to presenting ongoing work by our students.
The Burns Arts Atrium Gallery, located in the Visual Arts Building, presents student, faculty, alumni and guest artist exhibits. The Visual Arts Department sponsors art and photography trips to New York City museums. The John E. Kelly Digital Arts Lab, located in the F.W. Olin Center, is a hub for students who create a variety of electronic arts, from Web design and 3D graphics to animation and robotic art. The College joins with other local organizations to co-sponsor Art Night Schenectady, a monthly downtown arts showcase.
Dance
The Department of Theater and Dance hosts regular dance concerts, student- and faculty-choreographed works, guest artist workshops and demonstrations in all genres and styles at the Yulman Theater and the Dance Studio. The department also sponsors excursions to dance and musical theater performances. During the annual Steinmetz Symposium, a research showcase, students perform at the Nott. Other departments and offices also sponsor dance events on campus regularly.
Film
The College’s student-run groups host a number of film series, showcasing popular, classic, foreign, multicultural and fine art forms. Many are open to the public free of charge. In addition, there are films shown in connection with visual arts and film courses, and Mandeville Gallery exhibits. Union’s Minerva Houses and other groups also sponsor films for discussion and entertainment.
Library Collections
Schaffer Library is home to the College’s historic archives, which includes rare books, manuscripts and other artifacts. The most prized possession is the “double elephant folio” original edition of John James Audubon’s “Birds of America.” The Notables Exhibit is a rotating exhibit featuring extraordinary people from more than two centuries of education at Union.
Music
The Department of Music sponsors lectures, performances, recitals and workshops by visiting artists at numerous campus venues, including the Taylor Music Center and Memorial Chapel. Union College jazz, choral and orchestral groups, a taiko ensemble, and three student a capella groups perform regularly. The College’s nationally recognized chamber music series, free to the Union community, offers world renowned musicians in concert in acoustically-superb Memorial Chapel. Regulars include the Emerson String Quartet, Emanuel Ax, David Finckel and Wu Han. Student Activities coordinates an active concert schedule, with recent concerts featuring AOR, Eve 6, Ben Folds, Gym Class Heroes, Guster, Talib Kewli, Jason Mraz and Third Eye Blind.
Theater
The Department of Theater and Dance offers several major theatrical productions as well as staged readings, student performances, guest appearances and other shows throughout the school year.
And more
At any given time during the year, there are an abundance of films, concerts, exhibits, guest lectures, workshops, symposia, comedians and talks by writers and other artists that contribute to cultural life at Union. These are sponsored by academic departments, the President’s Office, student clubs, Minerva Houses, theme houses, Greek organizations and various multicultural groups. The College also recognizes, at an annual Prize Day, individual students with exceptional talents and commitment to their particular artistic endeavors.