Courage, because we believe in the creative and performing arts at a time when it is so much more popular to invest in science and technology as a way of addressing the unique challenges facing our country at the present time; foresight, because we understand that the strength of the performing and creative arts in the future relies on institutions like UCT committing energy and resources into nurturing talent in the creative and performing arts, and because we understand that unique knowledge production takes place in such a nurturing environment; and imagination, because we are committed to supporting the arts in the special way in which the Gordon Institute does, providing a unique platform for interdisciplinary work, opening fresh new opportunities for knowledge production, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research, and engagement with our communities.
The Gordon Institute not only enhances already outstanding work in the performing and creative arts at UCT, but will also contribute in significant ways to the priorities of our city and province, as well as country and continent in the years ahead.
Professor Paula Ensor
Dean of Humanities
