<st two weeks of classes have officially wrapped up at the Weitz Center of Creativity (WCC) and students already agree that the new space is a hit.
“I like the feel of it,” said Polly Durant ’14. “It still has the feel of the [Northfield] Middle School, but higher tech and much nicer.”
The multi-million dollar space, which opened Sept. 12, is the new home for the Cinema and Media Studies (CAMS) and the Theater and Dance departments, and contains classroom space for other departments.
Henry Edelstein ’14 has a Spanish class in the WCC instead of the Language and Dining Center (LDC), its previous location. “The classrooms in the WCC are better lit than the LDC,” he explained. “Actually, the overall design of the building is pretty nice.”
The classrooms are outfitted with the latest technology, in addition to being designed to aid creativity and foster learning through versatile and transitional spaces.
Dylan Holck ’14 has Introduction to Educational Studies in the WCC, instead of its traditional location in Willis Hall. “It’s cool how you can rearrange the classrooms [in the WCC], unlike in other buildings on campus,” Holck said. “It makes classroom discussion much easier and effective.”
CAMS classes have a special advantage in the WCC. The new technology in the classrooms, including projectors and smart boards, aids CAMS courses through the easy accessibility of film technology.
“I’m really happy to have my CAMS class in the Weitz Center,” said Laura Newcombe ’13. “We’re going to have some of our class movie screenings in the new cinema. Also, once we get the velvet curtains in our classrooms, its really going to have a professional touch.”
Professors agree that the new classrooms make teaching more effective. Dance Professor Jane Shockley is grateful for the large amount of space of the two new dance studios, compared to the smaller Cowling studio and the Recreation Center dance room.
“There’s just all this space!” Shockley explained. “Especially when teaching a class about body movement, you need the space to move through. It’s great.”
The arts building has had a strong start to the new school year, meeting its billing as a dynamic interdisciplinary workspace.
“It feels natural, yet state of the art and up to date,” Durant added. “Its exactly what it needs to be, without being unnecessarily extravagant.”
