It has come to that time of year where we want to congratulate and recognise all the wonderful things our clubs and societies have done within their student communities this academic year. Staff at Arts SU, along with members of clubs and societies have carefully selected student groups to be awarded for their Outstanding Contribution to Arts Activities.
This year has been a very difficult year and we are more proud than ever for the way clubs and societies have successfully adapted from in-person to online operation, the innovative activities they have held and for the continuous community building.
These awards were announced on our Instagram over the last two weeks. Head over to see some of the amazing things they have done on there! @arts.activities
Without further ado…
The first student group we would like to recognise for their outstanding contribution to Arts Activities is the African Caribbean Society (ACS)!
ACS has provided an exceptional, well-rounded and inclusive experience to its members. This has included lockdown games, 19 instagram TVs and reels, a live DJ and a cooking class! They were one of the only societies to organise a full in-person activity when restrictions lifted in term 3 and their President Alyshia Jack is commended in particular for her exceptional contribution to the community.
The Filipino Society was brand new this year but already developed a series of online events for their community. They have hosted a series of Q&A’s with alumni, virtual parties and speed dating. Their charitable efforts have also been exceptional. The society supported a raffle for the Pink Ribbon Foundation and also collaborated with other Filsocs in London to produce a vegetarian cookbook for a WWF Philippines fundraiser. You can still get a copy of this cookbook, and see what they've been up to on their Instagram!
The Life Drawing Society has delivered exceptional classes, multiple times a week throughout the year. These cumulated in an innovative online exhibition to showcase members work. A regular member said: "Brilliant team delivering exceptional classes during a difficult year. Navigating the online has been simple with the Life Drawing society." Their community building initiatives have not only developed the skills of members but supported their mental health by creating a space for members to decompress and meet other people during the pandemic. Their committee has also managed the significant financial organisation and administrative aspects of hosting multiple events a week and always communicated effectively with the union.
Cheerleading successfully adapted to operating online during the pandemic, and worked tirelessly to create an online community. Committee members held weekly zoom workouts, which really helped look after the physical and mental health of their members. All committee positions have been filled for the next academic year, demonstrating their high level of engagement this year. Special recognition of all their efforts goes to Simone Lyons, Emily Dyer, Cailtyn Isaac and Laura Gibson. Thank you for all you have done for your community this year, Arts are extremely grateful??
Dance continued to develop throughout the academic year, and the committee worked exceptionally hard to offer a fantastic service to their members. Not only did dance hold weekly classes from a range of dance styles, but they also carried out multiple engaging events, including netflix party socials. It was extremely impressive to witness dance successfully pull off a week-long event for This Girl Can Week, providing free dance classes to all UAL students. Thank you for all you have done for your community this year, Arts are extremely grateful!
Book Club have demonstrated innovation and teamwork collaborating with other societies and clubs. They have consistently hosted books mindful of diversity and inclusion and recently elected an inclusivity officer for their new committee. Book Club gained 70 members since October 2020 and have a consistently engaged group that met throughout this year. What will they be reading next!?
The Curation Society have demonstrated their innovation and community building during the pandemic. They have met consistently throughout this year and hosted a variety of artist and curator talks for their members. Their year has cumulated in the hosting of an online exhibition ‘Home | Connection | Ritual’ which they organised using and open call. This can still be viewed on their instagram!
Role Playing and Games Society (RPG Society) @ual_rpg
The Role Playing and Games Society (RPG) has created exceptional, well-rounded and inclusive experience to their members throughout the pandemic. They have met weekly for their events and their social media celebrates contributions from their members multiple days a week. We love following their Meme Monday, Character Tuesday and Fan Fun Art Friday! Look at their Instagram for so many more amazing gems. All photo credits to members of their society.
Volleyball have been an outstanding club this year and are a fantastic role model for community building. Despite the difficulties of the pandemic, volleyball achieved their best student engagement in history, with a total of 99 facebook members. Their hard work enabled them to successfully return to sport in term 3, with fully booked sessions every week. Special recognition goes to Romain Nagata for all the amazing work he has done to keep the club running throughout the pandemic. Romain ensured constant updates and volleyball related videos were posted on the club’s instagram, and he was also responsible for coordinating the return to in-person activity. He will be a greatly missed next year, and we wish him all the best in the future.
Advertising Society @ualadsoc
Advertising society hit the ground running when they started up, mid-pandemic. The committee has demonstrated commitment to their community by hosting industry talks every month and continuously developing. They have already attracted notable speakers for their events and gained a reputation for their innovative and slick social media posts. Have a look at their page to see!
Disabled Intersectional Voices in the Arts (DIVA) @ual.disabled.voices
This year the Disabled Intersectional Voices in the Arts (DIVA) Society have set up UAL’s first disability focused, and led society. In particular, their President Aminder Virdee and Treasurer Georgia Spencer have campaigned tirelessly for the rights of disabled students. In particular, they hosted an accessible soft and gentle yoga event in collaboration with Arts Active and @rhineandshine . We are excited to continue working with this important society!
Meeting weekly, the Latinxs Collective ‘Dream Team’ committee has shown continuous dedication to a society that has fostered community and belonging throughout this year. They created a website to address needs identified within their community that functions as a space for online exhibitions and advertises things relevant to their community. We recommend looking at their Artist in Residence series! https://latinxsual.com/
Equestrian persevered throughout the difficult year and orchestrated a range of innovative events to keep their members engaged. In term 1 they offered a lecture series, in term 2 they held equi-pilates sessions and in term 3 they successfully got back in the saddle. Special recognition goes to Bea Taylor Searle for going above and beyond her role as President, and for her large involvement in facilitating the return to sport for not only Equestrian, but many other clubs. Bea has been a pleasure to work with this year and is a fantastic role model to future committee members. Bea was always looking for ways to develop her club, keep her members engaged and she used her initiative throughout a difficult year.
The Drama Society committee has kept the community alive and thriving this year with a variety of online projects. These included drama and theatre-based exercises and fortnightly newsletters. Multiple members expressed how enjoyable and innovative the sessions were. The committee is commended for outstanding community building and supporting the mental health of members during the pandemic.
Future Marketers @ual_fms
Future Marketers Society started up this year and have already collaborated with multiple societies, a sustainable fashion brand and hosted virtual workshops with industry experts! Their committee has shown continuous dedication to developing their community and content. Their social media page, regular events and blog support both academic advancement and networking of their members. Have a look for yourselves via their Instagram!
Indonesian Society (IndoSoc) @ualindosoc
The Indonesian Society (IndoSoc) has been especially creative with its events this year. They hosted a weekly virtual cafe and study space, a virtual race around the world, cooking events, career talks and have collaborated with Indonesian Societies from other universities. Their perseverance and joy is an excellent example of how our student leaders have kept their communities strong throughout the pandemic.
Wimbledon Costume Archive Society @wca_archive
The Wimbledon Costume Archive Society hit the ground running when they started up. All final year students, their committee hosted 6 events in second and third terms. They have not only created an important community but are also commended for their contribution to enriching academic studies. Through the societies hard work the beautiful and interesting archive will accessible for the future students to come!
UAL Mag + Zine Society @ualmagsoc
The Mag+Zine Society has created two publications this year - LINK Magazine and MUTUAL an illustrative zine. LINK Magazine is a collaborative showcase of the society’s collective and wide-ranging talent and focuses on issues relevant to UAL students. They have built a strong foundation for both publications and we can’t wait to see what they produce next! Read their first issue on the topic of 'Change' @linkualmag
The Jewish Society – Jsoc - have consistently developed innovative events over the last year. These have included creative evenings, a bake sale, two successful LGBTQ events and a mental health evening. They have also collaborated with other university Jsocs throughout the year and continued to emphasise the importance of community during this time. We are excited to see what comes next!
In the words of one of their members: “The Women in Media society has created a community and bonded people to each other in one of the hardest years to make friends and connections. Simultaneously, they have provided opportunity for education for members to spotlight their work. Ultimately inspiring members to work on projects they are proud of and to get creative.” We are very impressed with what the society has already achieved! See what they’ve been up to and learn more on their Instagram
Chinese Society
The Chinese society provide invaluable support to their members throughout the year. One of our largest societies (over 150 members!) the society works in a very strong team. They not only help new students adapt to life in the UK and to get internships, but also host socials and exhibitions to showcase their members work. We commend them on their outstanding work towards community building. We were also so impressed by their engagement in the election process during committee elections where they hosted hustings and speeches for all positions. You can connect with society via their page on the SU website!
https://www.arts-su.com/yourcommunities/societies/soc/6212/
Axel Espana – President of Sport @axelodonte
Axel Espana was an exceptional President of Sport this year and a great head representative for sports clubs. Axel was critical in helping sports clubs successfully return to sport in term 3. He also devised and carried out the Recreate Our Community campaign and created fantastic promotional materials. His proactive and enthusiastic approach was admired by the Activities Team. Axel was a pleasure to work with this year, and the Activities Team are extremely grateful for all Axel has done this year. Well done Axel, thank you for all your hard work!??
