Vidyashilp University Workshop Explores Creative Entrepreneurship with International Curator

The School of Design at Vidyashilp University recently hosted a workshop titled "Building Cultural Institution: Creative Entrepreneurship". The programme was led by Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, a cultural curator from Hanoi, Vietnam. The session aimed to assist participants in their pursuit of becoming independent artists.

Nguyễn, who is the artistic director at Heritage Art Space, an independent art organisation in Hanoi, stressed the importance of looking beyond traditional forms. "While traditional art holds value, we must also look ahead. Contemporary art, by its very definition, encompasses a broader spectrum of creativity," he said.

The workshop involved guided discussions on a range of topics, including the relationship between art and the individual, how society perceives art as portrayed in media, and the impact of art on social consciousness and moral fabric. Nguyễn drew parallels between the treatment of art in India and Vietnam, noting that both countries have a history of diverse regional art forms that flourished in community spaces. He pointed out that numerous instances of Vietnamese folk art feature scenes from Buddhist and Hindu mythology, as well as Sanskrit text.

Discussing the influence of climate, Nguyễn noted that Vietnam's humid weather was not conducive to preserving paper-based paintings, which led artists to focus more on sculptures and installations. He also commented on the public's reluctance to visit museums, linking it to the colonial era when such institutions were seen as the domain of the elite, akin to churches and cathedrals introduced by former rulers.

Participants, who were aged between 30 and 40 and had backgrounds in art, also debated the concept of living heritage. A central question was whether artists should adapt to changing times or remain faithful to traditional methods to preserve authenticity.

Vakhtang Tsereteli, a social creativity practitioner and educator from the University of Applied Arts Vienna, highlighted the significance of international collaborations. "These leadership programmes are crucial because they facilitate new initiatives, which in turn generate new workspaces and roles in society," he explained. He emphasised the need for courses that focus on leadership initiatives, social design, and institutional building. According to Vakhtang, the concept is about multiplication: "If we train one person in leadership, they can create a new community and numerous job opportunities. Many young people today face professional confusion and need help in finding their role."

Both experts expressed a commitment to initiating projects at the grassroots level, with intentions to develop residencies, exhibitions, and workshops. They also plan to collaborate with non-profit organisations to support women's empowerment and the upliftment of underprivileged groups.

From July 8 to 15, the School of Design at Vidyashilp University, in collaboration with the University of Applied Arts Vienna, will conduct an international Summer School. The programme, themed around circular futures and social design, is free to attend but requires compulsory registration. Six experts from diverse fields such as waste management and social design will lead the multi-disciplinary intensive programme. Vakhtang described it as a multi-directional initiative.

Interested individuals can find registration details on the university's official website, vidyashilp.edu.in.