UFS ARTS “chasing excellence”

The UFS offers a diverse range of arts education and research programmes and activities which play a central role in enriching the vision of as an institution of academic excellence, innovation and social justice.

The UFS is home to highly skilled and internationally recognised academics and staff who are committed to the education, development, presentation and enhancement of the arts in South Africa. With a specific focus on arts innovation, social justice and critical diversity, the Arts at the UFS aims to produce the highest quality of art production, learning and research, and inspire its audiences towards becoming engaged citizens and cohesive communities.

Arts education and training are available in four distinctive academic departments across the disciplines of Drama and Theatre Arts, Fine Arts, Music, and Art History & Image Studies. These departments provide comprehensive programmes of academic teaching, research and engaged scholarship for undergraduate and postgraduate students with the view to deliver dynamic professional arts practitioners and researchers. These academical environments cultivate a strong sense of community where stable connections are constructed to nurture and support students through their studies and equip them to enter the professional art arena with its many diverse career opportunities.

The Art, Culture and Dialogue Office of the Division of Student Affairs offers artistic expression for every student, hosting a variety of platforms to participate within the arts. Their activities are aimed at connecting with students and promoting the student's voice.

Through specialised theatres, cinemas, concert halls, art galleries, the UFS art collection, and the efforts of the resident Odeion String Quartet, public programmes are presented to reach broad audiences both within the UFS and local communities. These programmes facilitate engagement with communities on pertinent topics using the arts as a medium to promote critical thinking and develop an inclusive institutional culture.