UP Museums have joined forces with Creative Education South Africa to bring arts and culture to underprivileged schools.

In an exciting new collaboration, the University of Pretoria (UP) Museums partnered with Creative Education South Africa, a non-profit organisation dedicated to enriching education through arts-and-culture initiatives. Together, they hosted the inaugural arts-and-culture education programme specifically designed for learners from disadvantaged schools in Pretoria and the surrounding area.

The innovative programme aims to provide underprivileged learners with access to world-class museum resources and hands-on creative learning experiences that they might not otherwise enjoy. By exposing these young minds to the rich cultural heritage preserved in the UP Museums, the partners hope to nurture a deeper appreciation for the arts while fostering critical thinking and creative expression.

“Sharing the history of the UP Museums with the learners is exciting, and being able to show them our collections in line with their school curriculum is rewarding,” said Matsobane Steven Motena, interpretive officer at UP Museums. “We hosted 2 279 learners in just four days, and it was a delight to see them interact with the Creative Education SA facilitators as well as the different collections they saw.”

The programme will extend beyond traditional classroom lessons by incorporating field trips to the UP Museums, hands-on workshops and interdisciplinary projects that fuse arts and academics. Learners will have the chance to explore diverse artistic mediums, engage with primary sources, and gain valuable skills in creative thinking, self-expression and cultural awareness.

“By making these experiences accessible to learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, we aim to unlock their creative potential, broaden their horizons and inspire them to pursue their passions,” said Tanaka Matongera of Creative Education SA.

Both the UP Museums and Creative Education SA are committed to nurturing the next generation of artists, creators and cultural ambassadors through this groundbreaking partnership.