The Office of Residence Life and the Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts are proud to introduce the Visual and Performing Arts Learning Community opening in Merick hall. The VPA Learning Community offers an environment supporting students with a shared interest in music, dramatic performance, and artistic expression. This program integrates first-year students and upper-class students within the variety of majors in the college to create a support and social network of artists. The community also provides opportunities to be an audience for performance events, to perform or display artwork for their peers, and to participate in performance-related community service activities.
The Visual and Performing Arts Learning Community is limited to 40 students and is open to both new and returning students. Any student who desires to participate in the community must indicate their preference through the Contract for University Housing assignment process. Students participating in this community benefit from informal opportunities to interact with faculty in the college through programs and events in the residence hall.
This community also presents the opportunity for students to showcase their talents in their residence hall to other students. Organized activities sponsored by the live-in Residence Life staff and Holland School faculty will engage students in the community and create an environment for students to integrate their artistic studies and their residential experiences. The community provides opportunities for students to interact outside of the classroom and to create connections with students outside of their specific major in the Holland School.
Sample Activities (activities are not final and will be planned by staff and faculty associated with the program):
- Workshops and Lectures
- Panels of local artists to speak and answer questions
- Field trips to regional locations of interest
- Programs highlighting the arts and music of other cultures
- Academic Initiatives
- Faculty review sessions
- Recital practice
- Performance and Displays
- “Gallery” shows in the halls
- Film Festival of student-made films
- Community Service
- Service projects in the local community (Habitat for Humanity, etc.)
- Sharing of special talents with school children, seniors, etc in the community
- Social Activities
- Movie nights with movies relevant to the arts
- Faculty dinners or receptions
To sign up for this community, returning students should participate in the Priority Sign-Up process. New students should indicate their preference for this community on their Contract for University Housing and then fill out and return the application that they receive in the mail.
There is no extra cost associated with the Learning Community Program; however, students are expected to sign and agree to a set of expectations for living in a Learning Community. This will be available at the time of Priority Sign-Up (returning students) or included in the application packet (new students).
The Office of Residence Life is proud to partner with the Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts to offer the VPA Learning Community as a housing option. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Residence Life at (573) 651-2274 or residencelife@semo.edu.