Newswise — The University of Adelaide has signed a major sponsorship agreement with Adelaide Festival that will connect creative arts students with some of the world’s most renowned performances.

The two-year agreement builds on historic connections between the University and the Adelaide Festival.

The Executive Dean of the University’s Faculty of Arts, Professor Jennie Shaw, says the partnership will benefit undergraduate students studying Creative Arts and other students in the Faculty, by offering them a variety of internships during the Festival.

“The University has a long history of training the next generation of creative arts professionals,” says Professor Shaw.

“Internships during the Festival will partner students with specific productions giving them an immersive experience of how the arts world works behind-the-scenes.

“First-hand experience of working with the arts industry to deliver world-class productions is of immense value to students.

“A university course will teach students about the theory behind the performing arts, but the value that exposure to the hands-on world of delivering productions and performances, is beyond measure,” she says.

Joint Artistic Director of the 2019 Adelaide Festival Rachel Healy says: “For the past 58 years the Adelaide Festival has built audiences and a global reputation by presenting a thrilling and carefully curated mix of international and Australian performing arts: productions, exhibitions, concerts and events from the greatest artists of our generation.

“The partnership will give students unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access to Australian and international directors, designers, producers, actors, dancers, musicians and writers” says Ms Healy.

“With productions such as Berlin-based Komische Oper’s The Magic Flute as the centrepiece of the 2019 Festival, students will gain valuable insights and experience from the most innovative and imaginative creative minds in the arts world.”

The partnership with the University of Adelaide will be activated during the 2019 and 2020 Adelaide Festival.

“Studying Creative Arts at the University of Adelaide means being connected to the very best the industry has to offer,” says Professor Shaw.

“This partnership demonstrates the commitment of the University of Adelaide to enable students to have an outstanding education in creative and performing arts that is outward focused and oriented to them taking their place on the world stage.”