The University of the Free State (UFS) has officially inaugurated its International Institute of the Arts (IIA) on its Bloemfontein Campus, marking a significant step toward integrating creative inquiry with academic research and global collaboration. The launch event took place on October 2nd at the Scaena Theatre.
A New Crossroads for Knowledge
Managed under the research portfolio of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Vasu Reddy, the IIA is designed to position UFS at the intersection of serious academic study, creative exploration, and real-world impact. The institute is intended as a collaborative space where artists, researchers, and practitioners will work together to develop new approaches to teaching, thinking, and creation.
The institute’s core mission is to bridge the traditional gaps between the humanities, science, and technology in the digital age.
Prof Reddy underscored the fundamental importance of the arts:
“The arts are not mere embellishments to life; they are, in fact, its very pulse. The IIA is a space where the arts and humanities rise, not in defence, but in celebration of their enduring relevance.”
Local Wisdom Meets Global Vision
The IIA aims for a local-to-global reach, drawing on Africa’s rich cultural heritage while actively fostering international networks of creative scholarship.
UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester Klopper, highlighted this commitment, stating that the institute “builds bridges between indigenous wisdom and modern art, between oral traditions and digital storytelling.”
Prof Alexander Johnson, Director of the IIA, views the institute as a crucial center where the arts in the Free State can “converge, grow, and flourish.” He noted that the IIA plans to boost the university’s international profile through initiatives like artist residencies, global partnerships, and interdisciplinary research projects.
Creativity as a Form of Knowledge
The establishment of the IIA is a declaration by UFS that creativity is not solely an artistic endeavor but a legitimate form of knowledge and a powerful catalyst for human connection. By championing this institute, UFS asserts that imagination remains humanity’s strongest tool for building a more inspired, innovative, and equitable future for all.
OFM Art Beat featured the IIA’s Project Manager and Senior Coordinator, MC Roodt, discussing the institute’s role and its meaning for creatives in the Free State.
