Express yourself: A fresher’s guide to Warwick’s arts societies

You’ve just landed at Warwick. Freshers’ Week is a blur of new names, campus maps, and flyers – and suddenly you’re told to “join a society”. With hundreds to choose from, it can feel overwhelming. But if you love to create, perform, or simply try something new, Warwick’s thriving arts scene is the perfect place to start. From live music and fashion to radio and literature, there’s a society for every creative. 

As a third year, I’ve come to know these societies well, sometimes from an exec position, sometimes from going along to one-off events. So, here’s my run-down of the standout groups that could help you shape your dream first year. 

Warwick Creatives: your artistic hub: If you’re not sure where your interests lie yet, Warwick Creatives Society (WCS) is brilliant. They act as a hub for all things artistic, running creative kickbacks, alumni panels, student-curated exhibitions, and even collaborations like music video competitions with other societies. Personally, I’ve had great chats with people outside my course at their events, just connecting through creativity. 

Plus, WCS are running a Creatives Fair on 3 October in JX2.03 (in Junction building), which is the best place to find out more about the arts-based societies at Warwick, with most of them having a stall there. More details can be found on their Instagram @warwickcreatives. 

On air: Warwick Student Radio: One society I wish I’d discovered sooner is RAW 1251AM (Warwick Student Radio). The studio is tucked away above Rootes Grocery Store—so you’ll walk past it all the time without realising the opportunities inside. You can host your own show, help produce someone else’s, or get involved with editing and tech. No experience? No problem. By the end of your degree, you could have a portfolio of broadcasts to look back on (and maybe a loyal campus following!). 

From page to print: Warwick’s writing scene: As a writer, I’ve loved getting to know Warwick’s literary societies. Warwick Writing Society, as the name suggests, runs workshops with feedback sessions, while Uncanny leans into experimental and speculative fiction. Plus, some of the most stunning spreads I’ve seen have been in Warwick’s LGBTQ+ magazine Planorama and Sequoia’s Zine (from East/South-East Asian Creatives), so make sure to check them out too!  

If performance is more your style, Warwick’s Literature Society hosts lively open-mic nights where poetry, rap, and storytelling thrive. And, if you’re interested in journalism, Warwick’s student newspaper, The Boar, is another brilliant creative outlet (spoiler alert, you’re reading it right now). The Arts section accepts creative submissions alongside reviews and stories responding to the wider cultural landscape, giving you the chance to see your work published and engage with campus arts from a fresh perspective.  

Visual Learners: Photography & film: If you’re visually minded, Warwick PhotoSoc is the place to sharpen your photography, whether you’ve got a DSLR or just your phone. Meanwhile, Warwick Filmmaking Society unites directors, writers, and crew to create short films from scratch, giving you hands-on experience and the chance to see your ideas come alive on screen.  

Sustainable style: Circuit & ERA: Warwick’s fashion societies mix creativity with sustainability. Circuit focuses on upcycling, reworking clothes, and rethinking fast fashion through styling workshops, swap shops, and collaborative projects. ERA (Warwick Vintage Society) offers zine-making, charity shop crawls, and make-do-and-mend socials. Even if you’ve never picked up a sewing needle before, these groups are supportive spaces to learn, share ideas, and experiment with your style. 

Creative outlets in non-arts societies: It’s worth remembering that creativity at Warwick isn’t limited to the ‘arts’ societies. Cultural societies, LGBTQIA+ societies, campaign groups, and even sports teams often run creative events – for example, I know history-focused society Rewind has script writing, filming, and documentary-making opportunities. So have a lookout across societies, arts-based or not, for creative opportunities that catch your eye! 

Remember, as you dive into Freshers’ Week, don’t just collect flyers – go and try something. Express yourself, and you might just discover the part of Warwick that feels most like home.