THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PERFORMING ARTS
DATE: 27 March-1 April 2023
VENUE: Makerere University Kampala
THEME: Performing Arts and the university of the 21st Century: Concepts, Training, and Practice
Conventionally, universities exist as seats of knowledge. Learners and faculty use and contribute to knowledge stores through teaching, research, and publications. However, the 21st Century has seen increasing demand for universities to be more accountable directly to communities they are located; to play a more active role in the development and sustainability of society. (OSISA 7 2016; Tiferra 2015; Coker-Kolo 2013; Matas 2012; Bleiklie et al 2005; Mignolo 2000; and others, like related articles in University World News) Golden is gold. To commemorate its 50 years of molding young Ugandans and others for careers in performing arts and film, Department of Performing Arts and Film (DPAF) at Makerere University will host an international conference and associated events to take stock of knowledge, partnerships, and friendships gained. Importantly, together with stakeholders, DPAF will reflect on its life and work, and plan its next 50 years and beyond.
The Conference uses the tagline, Golden is Gold, under the theme, “Performing Arts and the university of the 21st Century: Concepts, Training, and Practice”.
NOTE: In this conference, performing Arts will embrace those artforms by which we are identified or make our livelihoods. They include creative, performed, and digital arts. They cover Music, Dance, Drama, Storytelling, Poetry, documentaries, comic strips, batik, handcrafts, and screen arts like Film, cartoons and animations. These categories and forms may inform performances and disciplines of study or research.
The Conference and Associated Events
A number of exciting events will take place within / alongside the Conference:
(i).The General Council Meeting (GCM) for IDEA (International Drama / Theatre and Education Association. IDEA is an international professional association for Drama / Theatre teachers and practitioners). IDEA President, Sanja Krsmanović Tasić, will speak at the Conference.
(ii).A Stakeholders’ Summit to discuss the state of performing arts training and research, and prospects for increased graduate study in the area.
(iii).A Planning Meeting for Authors of the African Theatre Webinar (ATW) Series.
Paper and workshop presentations, round table discussions, theatre / cultural exhibitions, a book bazaar, sight-seeing, and open-air performances by students and staff will spice up the conference. Guests will be hosted to a theatre show on 27 March 2023 during World Theatre Day celebrations at the Uganda National Theatre in Kampala. (Refer to the Programme below) Book your place NOW! Visit: https://paf.mak.ac.ug/
The full programme is available in the this document.
KEY to the Programme
Keynotes: These are plenary sessions on topical issues on scholarship in the performing arts and of general interest to all participants
SIG= Special Interest Group to facilitate exchange and sharing of knowledge, skills and experiences specific to disciplines. It’s also a good time for networking.
Round Table: Round table sessions are intended to debate key issues arising especially from the keynotes and specifically on graduate training in the performing arts
Parallel sessions: This is the time dedicated to paper presentations and workshops by conference participants who are not key speakers. Care will be taken to give chance to as many presenters as can be accommodated by the programme.
Genius / Flair session: This is an entertainment yet creative session led by students of Performing Arts and Film Department at Makerere University. All are free to present
Melting Pot: This is intended as a relaxation and exchange moment where the conference participants are free to share artistic work by way of performance.
Conference Papers and Workshop Presentations
Conference papers and workshops are invited on general topics listed below. Abstracts should be 250 words maximum. The end product is a book publication while digital material will be published on DPAF’s hence Makerere University’s e-Library resources.
· Theories and Aesthetics
· Text and Performance
· Practice and Context
· Interculturality and Globalization
· Performing arts and university education
· Institutionalization, Curriculum, and Scholarship
· Publishing the performing arts
· Knowledge production and reproducibility
· Performing artists for tomorrow
· Digitalization and New Media
Submission deadline: January 31, 2023
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
Registration for the Conference will open by 1 November 2022 at the Conference website: https://paf.mak.ac.ug/. Registration will close by 15 March 2023.
Conference Fee: (Covers conference kit, lunch and breaks) per participant:
Early Bird: US$ 200
Late Registration: US$ 250
East Africans: US$ 150
Ugandans: UGX 350,000
Lecturers at Ugandan universities will pay UGX 300,000 and the Students UGX 100,000
Conference Organizers:
1. Conference Convener and Chairperson Organizing Committee:
Dr. Mercy Mirembe Ntangaare, Associate Professor of Drama, Department of Performing Arts and Film (DPAF), Makerere University Kampala. Tel. +256 772 663734 E-mail: mmmirembentangaare@gmail.com / mercy.ntangaare@mak.ac.ug
2. Conference Co-Convener & Head of Department, DPAF Makerere:
Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza. E-mail: pafchair@gmail.com
3. Other Committee members:
Coordinator, Music, DPAF;
Coordinator, Dance, DPAF;
Coordinator, Drama & Film, DPAF
