Engaging with the Community through the arts A University Perspective 4 April 2014

Universities are called to:- “demonstrate social responsibility … and their commitment to the common good by making available expertise and infrastructure for community service programmes” 1997 White Paper on Higher Education. ‘responsiveness to regional and national needs, for academic programmes, research and community service’ Ministry of Education National Plan for Higher Education (NPHE).

WHITE PAPER 4.8 Community Engagement and Graduate Community Service “Given budgetary and other resource constraints within higher education and the vastly different ways in which universities approach community engagement, it is likely that future funding of such initiatives in universities will be restricted to programmes linked directly to the academic programmes of universities, and form part of the teaching and research functions of these universities”

Community Engagement (CE)  One of the three founding principles (together with teaching and research) of the post- apartheid reconstruction of the SA HE system.  Under-theorised aspect of the role of universities.  Not clearly defined in SA HE institutions

VISION 2014 To employ community engagement as a vehicle for transformation of the academy and society

DEMONSTRATES COMMITMENT TO CE THROUGH :  Commitment of top leadership  Strategic directives  Alignment with the developmental agenda (NDP and the MDGs)  Budgets and Projects (R in 117 projects)  Structures and systems  Support and Enablement

UNISA MUSIC FOUNDATION – STAR PROJECT  Tuition in schools in disadvantaged communities and in prisons  Training of tutors, teachers, professional musicians and young and emerging musicians from disadvantaged communities (Unisa Music Examinations)  Facilitate performing opportunities for and showcase young and emerging artists  Music concerts through collaborations i.e. embassies  Unisa International Piano Competitions  Orchestras

CE = RELATIONSHIP RELATIONSHIP = TRANSFORMATION WHAT IS A PERSON? Descartes’ response - “I think therefore I am” The Bantu response/Ubuntu - “I relate therefore I am”

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH MUSIC – transforms the academy  Research: Community-based research and output  T&L: Curricular Innovation  Student engagement i.e. tutor programme  Partnerships and public engagement (competitions and concerts)  Speaks to Unisa’s social justice mandate and the democratisation of knowledge

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH MUSIC – transforms society  Addressing socio-economic imperatives of the country: empowerment; job creation; youth development  Speaks to graduateness: develops responsible citizens through the development of self esteem; fostering of ethical and aesthetical values; teaching of discipline & perseverance; leadership development; discovering identity  “Programme of social rescue and deep social transformation” (Josi Antonio Abreu)

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH MUSIC – transforms each one of us “You know you are dead when a rock settles At the back of the throat You don’t ask questions And all the answers you know Remain unchanged.” Lebogang Mashile