arthouse
/ˈɑːrtˌhaʊs/
Definition
A cinema or theater that specializes in screening non-mainstream, experimental, or independent films intended for niche or sophisticated audiences rather than commercial blockbusters.
Etymology
The term is a compound of 'art' (from Latin 'ars') and 'house' (from Old English 'hus'). It emerged in the mid-20th century to describe venues that prioritized artistic merit over commercial popularity.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the Media Arts Center's movie theater, highlighting its role as the final venue in its region dedicated to non-commercial cinema. This emphasizes the theater's importance as a rare cultural hub for specialized film programming.
Ethan van Thillo: From student film festival to a cultural institution
Read the full article ↗UC Santa Cruz - News