University of the Free State: Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in the arts

The University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of the Humanities recently hosted its first-ever arts entrepreneurship workshop. The three-day workshop, which took place at the Stegmann Gallery on the Bloemfontein Campus, aimed to not only enhance the employability of UFS graduates, but also to promote interdisciplinary collaboration among senior students in the departments of Drama and Theatre Arts, Art History and Image Studies, Fine Arts, and the Odeion School of Music.

What started as a conversation at the height of the COVID-19 outbreak, has now come to life. In October 2020, during the academic advisory board meeting in the Department of Arts, a number of concerns were highlighted as key themes for action. In 2021, the Arts Entrepreneurship Workshop was approved.

Promoting entrepreneurship and employability in the arts

The event kicked off with a welcome by Prof Heidi Hudson, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities. Over the course of the weekend, students were treated to lectures on topics ranging from interdisciplinary collaboration, entertainment law, and how to write, all the way to budgeting, and how to promote their brand.

“Knowledge is not power; it is only potential. Knowledge isn’t power until it is applied,” said visual artist Banele Khoza, as she reminded students that the weekend would be all about helping them to secure their future, ultimately growing into resilient and self-sufficient artists. Khoza was among other heavyweights in the industry, such as Michael Garbett from the Free State Arts Festival, Jasmine Magantsela from Absa, Lize Thomas of the Cape Town Opera, and attorney Richard Chemaly.

Students worked together in interdisciplinary teams and presented to a panel of judges. The winning group was awarded a prize for the unique presentation of their concept.