Arts Planning

The official name for the project formerly known as “the new arts center”, “the old middle school", and “wait, we’re building a what?” has finally been revealed:

The Arts Union.

Learn more about the name and the contest that inspired it. > 

Carleton College has selected the firm of Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle LTD (MS&R) as the architect for development of the former Northfield middle school into a facility geared toward creative collaboration––known informally as the Collaboratory––that will support multiple student and classroom projects and allow faculty members to teach with words, images, sounds, and narrative in a variety of media.

“Traditionally, we’ve asked, ‘How does an education in science or social science make you a better artist?’" says Scott Bierman, dean of the College and professor of economics. "Now the question is being turned around to, ‘How does some facility in the arts make you a better scientist?’ Creativity is all about identifying a problem, seeing it in a different light, and putting it back together again in a way that generates important new thinking.”

Carleton is one step closer to realizing a bold new vision for the arts.

Inside Carleton asked Scott Bierman, dean of the College, about moving ahead with plans for a new arts center.

Martha and Art Kaemmers’ support will help give the arts a new home at Carleton.

The arts are becoming increasingly popular with Carleton students, as indicated by their course enrollment