It’s been nearly four years since Penn reopened the doors of its Arts, Research, and Culture House.
The late-Gothic revival home, which once hosted a pair of restaurants, stands proudly overlooking Locust Walk. Inside, many students find their home away from home at Penn’s cultural centers, including Makuu: The Black Cultural Center, La Casa Latina, the Pan-Asian American Community House, and Natives at Penn.
Its September 2022 reopening marked the first phase of a renovation project that expanded cultural centers previously housed in the ARCH basement into additional space throughout the building.
“Four years later, it’s become a place where all Penn students can find a sense of belonging and take part in programs that bring people together,” a University Life spokesperson said in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian. “The reopening of the ARCH was an important moment because it reflected years of student advocacy for more space and visibility for Penn’s cultural communities.”
Before the 2022 reopening, Makuu, La Casa Latina, and PAACH were housed exclusively in the ARCH basement. In May 2022, however, Penn’s 7B coalition reached an agreement with the University to expand cultural center space throughout the building, dedicating the ARCH itself to Penn’s diverse student body.
The renovations added study rooms, social spaces, and offices for cultural centers and student groups. Later updates added new furniture and decor, a resource library, a prayer, meditation, a reflection space, and a dedicated space for Natives at Penn.
Penn also began offering additional University services in the ARCH after the reopening. In 2023, Student Health and Counseling reopened its “Let’s Talk” program in the building. Penn Violence Prevention, the Weingarten Center, and Career Services used the space to offer programming.
By August 2024, renovations were complete and all four floors of the ARCH were available for student organization and cultural center use.
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Inside the ARCH, students can take advantage of the community-building events and support that the cultural centers offer throughout the school year. Makuu provides resources and programming for Penn’s Black community, while La Casa Latina hosts programs focused on Latino and Hispanic culture and community. PAACH offers programming and advising focused on Penn’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
The ARCH is one of several locations on campus offering Penn’s cultural and affinity resources. Other cultural resource centers include the LGBT Center, Penn Women’s Center, and the Greenfield Intercultural Center.
“Looking ahead, we want the ARCH to continue growing as a hub for programming and collaboration while enriching the student experience across Penn,” the University Life spokesperson wrote. “As a home for Makuu, Casa Latina, PAACH, and Natives at Penn, the ARCH remains a place where students can thrive.”
