Offered to registered students from across the institution at no cost, Arts & Culture’s extramural programme includes classes and workshops in poetry, drama, contemporary dance, and ballet. Additionally, the division’s arts appreciation programme provides a range of free and subsidised arts and culture experiences including concerts, productions, film screenings and exhibitions.
The UJ Arts Academy places emphasis on the value of practicing and enjoying the arts, which has the potential to develop the kinds of skills students will find useful as they prepare for the future. There is no lack of research that, for example, dance is proven to boost general and psychological well-being, mental functioning and improves social skills. The arts also have the potential to develop emotional intelligence, critical thinking and creativity that results in creative problem-solving.
Arts Academy classes and workshops are taught and presented by industry professionals including the likes of well-known performance poet Qauz Roodt for poetry, drama educator Jaclyn Titus and resident award-winning director Jade Bowers for drama, Prof Catherine Botha for ballet, Broken Borders Dance Company for contemporary dance with masterclasses by Dr Jerry Mofokeng, international choreographer Robin Orlin and the Johannesburg School of Mask and Movement Theatre.