Collaborating to expand learner experiences beyond the curriculum

A delegation from the management team of the Faculty of Arts and Design visited the East Rand School of the Arts (ERSA) to discuss the way forward for the mutually beneficial implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the parties.

The aim of the MoU is to enable staff, students and learners from both institutions to engage and together transform lives by exploring different paths and opportunities in the creative industries.

Starting with the TUT Arts Festival, learners will be able to showcase their talents in a variety of disciplines and participate in masterclasses and workshops. It was also suggested that learners could potentially participate in the Faculty's Girls in Design and GBV awareness projects.

"This is the kind of initiative that empowers young, emerging creatives who want to contribute to society. Furthermore, wherever the Faculty has the potential to change preconceived notions of gendered practices through the arts, we must champion and support it as best we can. In this way, Artivism, a focus of the Faculty that incorporates art in activism, will be more than a buzzword," said Prof Nalini Moodley, Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Design.

As part of the MoU, the Faculty will design specialised programmes and workshops to help ERSA staff improve their skills, thereby positively impacting the teaching project. Workshops and programmes will also be offered to learners to enable them to build digital portfolios, develop portfolio presentation skills, prepare for auditions, etc.

Both parties will benefit from these collaborative pedagogical engagements.

Ms Minikazi Jafta, ERSA Principal, said: "The initiative to create upskilling programmes to develop ERSA arts educators is imperative. This would help to develop in areas of specialisation where educators need skills beyond those they have already acquired. The arts industry in general is constantly changing and developing, so it is important to help educators to be proactive and move with the times. Learners also need programmes to develop their artistic skills. We need to equip them with the knowledge of the many different career paths they can take within the arts," he added.

"It would also be great to have administrative programmes to help learners become entrepreneurs within their art disciplines. This should preferably include training in business- and time management skills, marketing, public relations, creating presentations and knowing what important information to include in order to create an appetite with government and corporate industries. We want to strive to create artists who are job creators rather than waiting for a job opportunity," said Jafta.

During the visit, the learners were briefed on the Faculty's programmes and application information, coupled with a motivational speech by Prof Moodley.

Mr Mmutle Tabane, Chief Education Specialist - FET Arts Subjects, Department of Basic Education (DBE), also joined the discussions and shared his delight at the meeting.

"The DBE is excited about this opportunity. We appreciate the collaboration in advocating for career opportunities to increase learner participation and ultimately increase the number of schools offering arts. Partnerships with creative industry leaders and tertiary institutions such as TUT's Faculty of Arts and Design will increase awareness of the arts," said Tabane.

"The partnership will draw learners' attention to the arts subjects, which provide essential skills that can enhance their lives as entrepreneurs if they are willing to pursue this path. Learners will be taught how to market themselves and use social media platforms to sell and promote their work, taking into account the partnership's extra-curricular programmes," he added.

The Faculty team was taken on a site visit and was very impressed with the school's commitment to provide a learning environment that meets the needs of its talented learners.

Dr Laetitia Orlandi, Assistant Dean of the Faculty, indicated that both parties are looking forward to active collaboration.

Prof Nalini Moodley, Executive Dean: Faculty of Arts and Design, engaging learners of the East Rand School of the Arts.

Staff from the Faculty of Arts and Design and the East Rand School of the Arts discuss the opportunities that will arise from a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties.