campus experience
Centre for the Arts
The Centre for the Arts aims to provide an arts platform where students from all walks of life at the UTech Jamaica as well as the wider community including practitioners in the industry are introduced to new and innovative training in the arts.
Overview
The Centre for the Arts (CFA) was established in 1998 to link the arts with science and technology. Its focus, like its strategic positioning in the “heart” of the University’s campus, is geared toward helping its clients find their centre – a place where they arrive at a greater consciousness, confidence, competence, and courage to fulfil their potential.
Focus
- Providing a place where students develop a greater sense of consciousness, confidence, competence and courage to fulfil their true potential in the creative industries, with a focus on the Visual and Performing Arts.
- Ensuring students are provided with comparative education in the Visual and Performing Arts.
- Satisfying the cultural needs of the University of Technology, Jamaica as well as external clients.
- Guiding policy directives concerning culture and heritage at the University.
- Extending the social, academic and economic reach of students and staff in the creative industries.
- Increasing the visibility of the CFA locally, regionally and internationally.
Develop new and experienced artists by collaborating with professionals for academic, practical and relevant training.
Mr. Philip Clarke
Director, Arts and Culture,
University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, Jamaica)
Director's Message
At the University of Technology Jamaica, we believe in the development of the many facets of the student. No one is one dimensional and the reason the Centre for the Arts (CFA) exists is to nurture and actualize the UTech, Jamaica students into their true self.
Dance, drama, visual art,music and song are a few elements that are taught as disciplines at the Centre. We train, expose and engage students in the production of total theatre. The CFA gives students a greater appreciation of the visual and performing arts which aids in their social and professional success.
We focus on the teaching and preservation of culture through various programmes, festivals, seminars and inspiring classes. We also have full responsibility for the Caribbean’s first sculpture park, the Caribbean Sculpture Park. Here students can feed their creativity as well as relax and appreciate art in nature. The Park is also a popular venue for performances and guided tours.
UTech, Jamaica is now poised to impact the world through the arts and entertainment as the level of training and exposure that the Centre provides will equip students making them marketable citizens of the world.
Elective Performing Arts Programmes
Introduction to Dance, Drama & Theatre Arts and Music are currently offered at the Centre as elective courses. Students accrue three credits from each course towards their respective degrees. The three courses are offered through the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies and co- supervised by the Centre for the Arts.
Creative and Performing Groups
Dance and Drama & Theatre Arts are also offered as co-curricular programmes, along with Choir, Drumming, Instrumental Band, Steel Pan and Visual Arts. The co-curricular programmes are accessible to students, staff and the wider Papine community, who are interested in self-expression through the arts. There is a scheduled time and day for each discipline, and students are expected to attend classes on a regular basis. Each performing group aims to host a commercial production each year.
Caribbean Sculpture Park
Dance Studio and Theatre Space
The Centre for the Arts is a multi-purpose hub of creativity which provides facilities for hosting workshops, seminars, concerts, plays, art exhibitions and live streaming events. You may also utilize the dance studio for rehearsals, auditions and photoshoots.
The theatre space is outfitted with a sitting area for approximately 60 persons; a stage area; backstage area, restroom and kitchenette. A grand piano is also available for intimate recitals and band rehearsals.
The Dance Studio comes with cushioning floorboards for ease of movement with the changing room located adjacent to the studio and shared with the theatre space. The studio accommodates a maximum of 20 persons (10 persons 6ft apart) and is equipped with mirrors and a portable Bluetooth stereo.
The studio also operates as a photo studio for artistic and regular photoshoots.
Get Involved
Join Us, Become a Patron
Join the UTech, Jamaica Art and Theatre Ensemble
Participate in our productions, workshops, exhibition and other activities.
Services
CFA offers…
- Community Outreach Activities through Cultural Productions, Presentations, Consultation and Workshops.
- Professional Performances by UTech, Jamaica Performance Groups.
- Workshops geared towards students, staff and Creative Industry Professionals
Facility Rental and Tours
- Caribbean Sculpture Park
- Centre for the Arts Theatre and Dance Studio
