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UFS launches International Institute of the Arts

06 October 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Stephen Collett

IIA Launch — From left: Prof Mogomme Masoga, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities; Prof Anthea Rhoda, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic; Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Prof Millard Arnold, Member of the UFS Council; Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation; and Prof Alexander Johnson, Director of the International Institute of the Arts, at the launch of the International Institute of the Arts held at the Scaena Theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus.

The University of the Free State (UFS) officially launched its International Institute of the Arts (IIA) on 2 October 2025 at the Scaena Theatre on its Bloemfontein Campus, marking a pivotal moment in the institution’s pursuit of academic excellence, creativity, and global collaboration.

The launch brought together university leadership, academics, artists, and art enthusiasts to celebrate a shared commitment to advancing human knowledge through creative enquiry and artistic innovation.

The launch of the institute, which falls under the portfolio of Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation Prof Vasu Reddy, is aimed at positioning the university at the intersection of creativity, scholarship, and societal impact. The IIA will serve as a collaborative space for artists, researchers, and practitioners to explore new ways of thinking, teaching, and creating – bridging the gap between the humanities, science, and technology in an increasingly digital world.

“The arts are not mere embellishments to life; they are, in fact, its very pulse,” Prof Reddy said. “The IIA is a space where the arts and humanities rise, not in defence, but in celebration of their enduring relevance.”

A beacon for creativity in a changing world

In her address, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Hester C. Klopper described the IIA as “a lantern illuminating paths towards responsible societal futures shaped by imagination, empathy, and human creativity.” She emphasised that in an era of artificial intelligence and automation, “our challenge as humans lies largely in our ability to dream, imagine, create, empathise, and transform vision into reality through artistic expression.”

The sentiment of creativity as a transformative force was echoed throughout the event. UFS Council member and artist Prof Millard Arnold said “creativity is that intangible force that sparks inspiration, enriches the imagination, and expands our appreciation of who we are and what we can become.” He added that the institute “will be more than just an institution – it will be a vibrant hub where imagination meets opportunity, nurturing creative minds who challenge convention and inspire change.”

Adding to this vision, Prof Mogomme Masoga, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities, said the IIA represents an initiative that “significantly expands the footprint of the humanities” and aligns with the university’s Vision 130 commitment to “growing and extending its influence and impact”. He described the institute as an opportunity to bring scholars and industry experts closer together, fostering collaboration and dialogue that highlight human creativity while advancing research and teaching excellence.

The programme also celebrated artistic and intellectual excellence through a diverse line-up. Dr Ashraf Jamal, an educator, writer, journalist, and author, delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled ‘The Majesty of the Everyday: The Power of Culture in South Africa Today’, which explored the role of culture in uniting people and redefining contemporary South African identity. This was followed by compelling performances, including So Over the Rainbow, a satirical work by Zabesutu Rondo Mpiti-Spies, and Ditshomo – We Have Been Here Before, a choreopoem by Napo Masheane with Volley Nchabeleng featuring the House of Shakers. Each performance embodied the spirit of creative freedom and collaboration that the institute seeks to nurture.

Connecting African heritage with global innovation

Positioned in the heart of South Africa, the IIA draws inspiration from the continent’s cultural richness while engaging with global networks of creative scholarship. Prof Klopper noted that the institute “builds bridges between indigenous wisdom and modern art, between oral traditions and digital storytelling”, reaffirming the university’s commitment to combining local authenticity with global vision.

Prof Reddy emphasised that, “The IIA is not merely an institute; it is a living, breathing space for imagination, innovation, and inquiry. It is a crucible for interdisciplinary exploration – a home for scholars, artists, and visionaries who seek to challenge assumptions and reimagine futures.”

In his message, Prof Alexander Johnson, Director of the IIA, described the institute as “a space where the arts in the Free State can converge, grow, and flourish.” He added that the IIA aims to amplify the university’s global footprint through artist residencies, international partnerships, and interdisciplinary research collaborations.

More than a new academic entity, the International Institute of the Arts stands as a bold declaration of purpose – to champion creativity as both a form of knowledge and a force for human connection. Through its launch, the UFS affirms that, in an age shaped by technology and change, imagination remains our most powerful tool for building a just, innovative, and inspired future.

News Archive

UFS receives multimillion rand international funding for Advancement

2013-01-21

21 January 2013

We are one of four South African universities that have been selected to take part in a multimillion-rand programme to bolster private fund-raising and Advancement efforts.

The UFS will receive US$640 000 (R5 612 800) over a period of five years to use in advancement efforts.

In total, the US-based Kresge Foundation will make US$2.5 million available to the four universities, which includes the UFS, Durban University of Technology (DUT), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ), over the next five years as part of a joint initiative with Inyathelo: The South African Institute for Advancement, to support the long-term financial sustainability of higher education institutions in South Africa.

Kresge will also provide programmes and support aimed at enhancing student access to universities and improving graduation rates.

Bill Moses, who directs Kresge’s education programme, says declining government support means that South African university officials need to tap into diversified philanthropic and private funding if they want to enhance their institutions’ ability to serve students better. “Stronger Advancement skills are critical to their success and ultimately to getting more South African students into universities and completing degrees. Advancement is not just about raising funds. It is the practice of building, maintaining and improving support, skills and other resources to ensure the sustainability of an institution,” explains Moses.

This latest Kresge initiative follows the success of a five-year partnership with Inyathelo that helped five high-profile South African institutions - the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); the University of Pretoria (UP); the University of the Western Cape (UWC); the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and the Children’s Hospital Trust - increase their private fund-raising revenue threefold. The four universities will receive additional funding over the next five years and will serve as mentors to the new group of institutions.

In April last year, Kresge announced a new commitment to South African higher education that builds on its efforts in the United States to improve university access and help students succeed academically. Their ‘Promoting access and success at South African universities’ programme will seek to strengthen pathways to and through universities, especially for students who are often unprepared for university study. Moses says enhancing the ability of universities in South Africa to graduate the next generation of knowledge workers, will make it possible for the country to compete more effectively in the global economy. “Access to higher education in South Africa has improved dramatically since the end of Apartheid. A doubling of enrolment since 1994 has, however, contributed to serious challenges, including under-prepared students and disappointing graduation rates. We are confident that our programme will help address some of these obstacles to success,” says Moses.

Kresge has already funded several efforts that support its interest in strengthening pathways to and through universities this year, including a grant to the University of the Free State to expand the South African Survey of Student Engagement, as well as funding to the University of Pretoria to support a conference in January, which will highlight opportunities to promote access and success at South African universities.

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