where are the arts in "liberal arts"?

As a student at Hamilton College, you have committed to four years of a liberal arts education. According to the college’s website, this means “the freedom and responsibility to make educational choices that emphasize breadth and depth.” Before graduation, each student must pass a quantitative literacy test, demonstrate athletic proficiency, and meet the academic requirements of their majors. But what role do the arts play in this liberal arts education?

During the 80’s, Hamilton was known for its emphasis on the arts. According to Professor of Art, William Salzillo, “the arts departments were all housed in one place that gave the arts higher visibility on campus and helped create a sense of community for potential majors.” Today, this is one of the main concerns for student artists such as theater major Lindsey Pearlman. She explains, “student artists don’t know each other, don’t collaborate and some even give up their passion” because there doesn’t seem to be an artistic community.

Despite these sentiments, the arts play an important role on campus. There are over 20 organizations appealing to student artists including choir groups, orchestra, improvisational theater clubs, and performance opportunities such as ballroom dancing. Although the arts are not physically centralized like they were in the 80’s, they are still central to Hamilton by targeting to a wide variety of individuals. Caroline Bellini-Sharp, theater professor, notes that “we have all kinds in our department from football players to pre-med students.” This appeals to the college’s mission of an open and broad education experience. Dean of Faculty Joe Urgo explains, “I feel pretty good if students are trying things they think they can’t do, and I feel even better if other students, with expertise, help them out.”

Just because Hamilton doesn’t specialize in the arts doesn’t mean that the college isn’t dedicated to providing students with the best facilities possible. Continuing in the tradition of the world-class Wellin Hall, the Wellin family has made yet another incredibly generous gift to the arts on the Hill. Keith and Wendy Wellin recently donated $10 million, all of which will be put towards the reconstruction of the arts studios, a new theater, and the renovation of the Emerson Gallery. Professor of Music Rob Kolb explains that development on campus “moves in cycles. Music had its turn in the 80’s when Wellin Hall was constructed, the sciences had their turn last year and the social sciences are changing right now.” The arts are up next.

With all this progress and support, the question remains: why do students feel that there aren’t enough artistic outlets on campus? The primary concern students raise are the lack of advanced arts courses. Artist Kate Porter, for example, feels that the art department “is well rounded because we have photo, video, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, drawing and painting—but it isn’t developed because there aren’t a lot of advanced classes in each medium.” Additionally, advanced courses are often not offered in alternating semesters. This problem is usually generated by a lack of faculty in the arts department. As Porter explains, “the professors themselves are extremely dedicated to their students, but there is only so much that a handful of professors can accomplish.” Sarah Levitan, a dancer, adds that the dance department is “very lucky to have beautiful costumes and several spaces in which to perform, but I would rather give some of that up for, say, the inclusion of new faculty or more guest artists.”

The reason behind the low number of faculty members and arts courses may be that there aren’t enough students enrolled as majors and minors to warrant an increase. Richard Sonne, senior theater major, notes that the arts do “possess an unfortunate reputation as being an easy or cop-out major, but the reality is that they can be some of the most challenging subjects at this college.”

The arts “contribute more broadly to the intellectual life of the community as a resource for all departments... a place where questions are asked but not always answered,” says Susanna White, co-curator of the Emerson Gallery. Craig Latrell, associate professor of theater, agrees, observing that art “draws the best out of the best. It is freedom.” The balance between student artists and students interested in art is one that can only exist on a campus like Hamilton and will be the experience that we make for ourselves and for future classes.

-whitney kimmel '08