Co-curricular programs give students the opportunity to engage in academic conversations outside of the classroom. These programs may complement your academic inquiries, or may expose you to a topic or issue outside of your studies. Co-curricular programs often involve Gallatin Faculty members, alumni and outside community members.
Affinity Groups are organized around interdisciplinary themes and meant to be primarily social in nature, building communities within Gallatin by meeting regularly throughout the semester to have conversations, host speakers, and collaboratively plan outings around the city–from museums and theatrical performances to urban farms, activist spaces, shared meals, and more. Affinity Groups are a great way to engage in academic themes that interest you without the pressure to academically perform–whether reading or writing (unless you want to!). Because these groups are social and collaborative, students really do have a voice in the direction of their group--what conversations need to be had, places to go and things to see.
Each group is mentored and led by a super-cool Gallatin graduate student and the program is overseen by the Gallatin Office of Community Engagement. To join a group, students must: be willing and able to participate in-person and be willing to commit for the semester. We strive to create deep and meaningful relationships that are fostered through sustained engagement and not one-off events. Group meetings have scheduled times, much like a class, meeting 8+ times throughout the semester, sometimes at agreed upon times outside of those designated, such as for a Broadway show or concert. For additional questions, please reach out to Dr. Lisa Daily, Director of Community Engagement at lisa.daily@nyu.edu or gallatin.affinitygroups@nyu.edu.
Space is limited! To indicate interest in joining a group, please complete the Gallatin Affinity Group Sign-Up Form and await a confirmation email.
DIY Fashion
Fridays 10am - 12 pm
Eli Mendoza
This group is a place for students of any experience level (or none!) to learn about and work on the basics of DIY fashion, understood as clothing design from start to finish, clothing modification and upcycling, wearable art, and more! This group will include a variety of workshops and crafting, outings to various iconic spots for fashion in NYC, and discussions surrounding the historical and contemporary applications of DIY attitudes to promote self-expression. It’s all about finding what you want to do and how you want to do it, while meeting other cool people with similar interests!
Storytelling Through Film & Theatre
Fridays 11am - 1pm
Gavi Loewenstein
If there’s any place with a story to tell, it is most certainly NYC. New York City is an expansive community of storytellers and performers, always looking for new and exciting ways to share their voices, whether that’s through stage, screen, or the simple act of conversation. Regardless of the medium, the art of a good story is the most human way we can connect . This affinity group will tackle storytelling in all of its forms, and will encourage further exploration of both the technical side of productions as well as the heart. Encouraging connection, collaboration, and creativity, where our story goes as an affinity group is up to you! Possible outings may include Broadway and off-Broadway productions, storytelling festivals and events, film screenings, and guest speakers such as writers, producers, or directors.
Learning and Liberation Across NYC
Fridays 1:00-3:00pm
Kendra Danowski
This affinity group will explore how grassroots political education is taking shape across New York City. What spaces are currently active, who and what movements do they serve, and what are their visions and goals? Out of what struggle, need, or motivation were these spaces created, and what histories of organizing and activism influence how they are structured? What are their approaches to teaching and learning with others to mobilize for social justice and liberation? What are some of the unexpected places where “everyday education” is happening? Outings and guest discussions may include local mutual aid collectives, worker-owned bookstores, community land trusts, youth organizing groups, and facilitators and organizers who teach and learn with people of all ages.
Art, Activism, and Community
Fridays 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Nick Zelle
This affinity group engages with the nexus of art and activism in New York City. How can artists effectively use their creative practices in service of social and environmental movements, grassroot community initiatives, campaigns, and world-building, broadly construed? What does it take to move beyond despair toward an affirmative vision, while still allowing room to grieve – and what is the artist’s role, responsibility, and power in this existentially perilous time? We will attend performances, exhibitions, and site visits to (or host guests from) vital organizations on the frontlines of these questions, possibly including: Groundswell, the Laundromat Project, the Queens Museum, Performance Space New York, New York Live Arts, and the Center for Artistic Activism. We will hold informal discussions and move forward together based on the group’s emergent interests – with the ultimate goal of cultivating a community of interdisciplinary thinkers and doers around a shared commitment to employing art as a catalyst for connection, resilience, and justice.
Planetary NYC
Fridays 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Katreena Lloyd
Planetary NYC most broadly explores the relationship between the natural world and urban spaces and our relationships to both. More specifically this affinity group will explore our connection to the natural world as occupants of a major city under the constraints of bright lights, endless concrete, constant noise and looming skyscrapers. We will do this by exploring the ways to access the night sky, stars and greater cosmos; and by finding green spaces and exploring biodiversity. We will also look into the role nature plays in our own personal lives through astrology, tarot, crystals and other means. We will also seek to understand the role of architecture and how it both obstructs green spaces and access to the sky, as well as offering new green and stargazing spaces. How does this affect accessibility for low-income people? How can we continue to advocate for our planetary city in an era of drastic climate change? Throughout this affinity group, we will visit astronomy events, and natural spaces, learn about tarot, understand the difference and connections between astronomy and astrology, visit planetariums, bookstores, and host guest speakers, among other possibilities.
During the onset of the pandemic in Fall 2020, Gallatin Student Life created the initiative known as the Gallatin Meet-Ups, where small groups of students (led by a Gallatin Orientation Leader, who is a current student) visit various exciting and fun venues around New York City. The beauty of these events is that they are for Gallatin students and led by Gallatin students. We offer Meet-Up opportunities most weekdays and weekends and would love for Gallatin students to join us whenever they can!
In the past year, Gallatin Orientation Leaders have brought students to the Central Park Zoo, Artechouse (an art/tech exhibit), various museums such as the Brooklyn Museum, the MoMA, and the Whitney (to name a few), pottery making classes at Color Me Mine (TriBeCa pottery studio), a visit to the Meow Parlour Cat Cafe, Laser Tag excursions in Brooklyn Area 53 Laser Tag, an informal visit and picnic on Roosevelt Island, a visit to the Fall 2021 FRIENDS Interactive Experience, ice skating at Bryant Park in the winter, and a trip to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to see the Christmas Lights. With all those fun events, you can count on even more exciting trips this year. An updated list of upcoming Gallatin Meet-Ups will be made available in the beginning of the Fall semester. Be sure to check your emails for more information!
The Coffee House furnishes a space for Gallatin students, faculty, alumni and community members to discuss a charged topic in an unconventional, uncontrolled manner. Each coffee house features a panel comprised of faculty, students and alumni. Coffee houses happen at least twice a semester. Past topics have included UnNatural Diasters, Religious Freedom in America, and What is Art? We provide the coffee -- and you provide the conversation. If you have a topic you would like to be considered for a coffee house, please contact the Office of Student Life at studentlife.gallatin@nyu.edu.
Gallatin Student Life loves to hear from you! Have an idea for something you’d like to see? Please reach out to us. Past events and series have included interest group meetings, the dinealogue series, which features dining and conversation among students, faculty, and external guests on particular topics, and film series, among others. To get in contact with Student Life, please email studentlife.gallatin@nyu.edu.