Yogyakarta, September 19th 2025 – The Master’s Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at Universitas Gadjah Mada hosted a guest lecture titled “Arts for the Blues: Bridging the Arts and Psychotherapy.” The event aimed to explore the intersection of the arts and psychotherapy, with a focus on a pioneering program developed at the University of Salford, UK. The lecture was delivered by Professor Scott Thurston and Dr. Joanna Omylinska-Thurston, two distinguished academics from the University of Salford.

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Stevanaventi Asriuni Minarpradipta, a graduate student in the Master’s Program for Performance and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at UGM, demonstrates her prowess by taking on three crucial roles in the latest musical film by renowned director Garin Nugroho, “SIAPA DIA” (WHO IS SHE). Known affectionately as Achi Pradipta, this woman not only appears as a supporting actress but is also entrusted as a vocal coach, vocal arranger, and vocal director. Her involvement serves as proof that the academic world is capable of producing competent arts practitioners ready to contribute to the creative industry.

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Two students from the Master’s Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) UGM, Febri Anugerah and Isradina Paricha, from the art collective Lelaku Studio, were participating artists in the Biennale Jatim XI, which took place from 20 August to 20 September 2025. The biennale, which is being held at the Pudak Gallery in Gresik, East Java, is themed Hantu Laut: The Spectre of The Sea and serves as a space to re-examine society’s relationship with the ocean. Lelaku Studio, active since 2018, is known for its distinctive artistic practice that merges archaeological research with material innovation. Their focus on repurposing High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic is not merely an aesthetic choice but also a principled stance aligned with sustainable production and environmental stewardship.

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Yogyakarta (22 August 2025)  The Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) celebrated its 42nd Anniversary with a spirit of togetherness through a series of festive activities. The celebration commenced with a group aerobics session led by Heni Siswantari and Hendra Nasution, doctoral students of the Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) Program. The involvement of PSPSR students as instructors not only brought positive energy to the event but also reflected the active contribution of students in supporting institutional activities.

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A second Forum Rabu Wagen session was held on August 20, 2025. The session began with a welcoming speech from Dr. Budi Irawanto to the participants, especially the new students attending the Rabu Wagen Forum session for the first time, which was organised by the Doctoral Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at UGM. Twenty-two postgraduate students attended the second event of the year. Two speakers who are also doctoral students of PSPSR, namely Terra Bajraghosa and Agustinus Paulus Umbu Tali, were selected to present their research progress. Terra Bajraghosa initiated the knowledge-sharing session, titled “Exploring the Identity of Independent Comics.” The research scheme shared was comprehensive and inspiring.

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Yogyakarta, August 23, 2025 – The Master’s Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR), Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada, held its second dissemination forum, “Gelar Jejak #2 – Technology of Enchantment,” on Saturday (23/8). This forum provided a reflective and dialogical space for alumsto present their thesis research and engage with the public.

Moderated by Heni Siswantari, the event featured two presenters:

Rifa Fitriana, S.Sn., M.A., delivered her research “The Allure of Flow-Art in Flownesia’s Fire Dance Performances.” She explained how fire dance transcends physical performance, becoming a symbolic space that combines technical agency, visual aesthetics, and representation of identity. The incorporation of flow techniques emphasises integration between local traditional values and modern technological advancements.

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The Graduate Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR), Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada, continues its initiative Ngobrol Tesis—a discussion forum designed to share academic insights in a conversational yet informative format. The program invites PSPSR alumni to share their experiences, research processes, and findings from their master’s theses, from initial ideas to final outcomes.

In this edition, the featured speaker was Ramdani Rachmat, S.Sn., M.A. (PSPSR Alumnus, 2022 Even Semester), presenting his thesis entitled “Art and Cultural Memory: A Case Study on the Wanar Dance and the Banda Genocide in Maluku.” The discussion was moderated by Delfin Febriansyah, S.Sn. (PSPSR Student, 2024 Odd Semester).

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The Graduate Program in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has released a new episode of Ngobrol Tesis, a discussion program now available as a podcast. This edition features two PSPSR alums from the 2022 odd semester cohort: M. Ismail Hamsyah, S.Ant., M.A., and Muhammad Yudi Eko Nugroho, S.Pd., M.A., who shared insights on the role of sound engineers in both traditional and contemporary performing arts.

Ismail presented his research on sound engineering in the Ramayana Ballet performance at Prambanan through his thesis entitled “Suara-Suara Peracik Bunyi: Kajian Artistik dan Estetik Sound Engineer Gamelan Sendratari Ramayana Prambanan”. He emphasised how artistic and aesthetic aspects significantly contribute to shaping the audience’s auditory experience.

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On 14 August 2025 at 2 pm, the welcoming session, titled “Beyond the Gate”, for postgraduate students in Performing Art and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) took place at the Ullen Sentalu Museum, accompanied by the Mountain Piano Concerto. The inaugural event brought together Ullen Sentalu and PSPSR students from Gadjah Mada University. This concert featured Henk Mak van Dijk (Pianist), Asriuni Pradipta (Soprano), who is also a master’s programme student at PSPSR and Eko Balung (Violist). The students and other visitors in attendance enjoyed the concert. They expressed that the performance was awe-inspiring, particularly due to its location in an open and tranquil area of Ullen Sentalu. The MoU signing ceremony between PSPSR and Ullen Sentalu Museum was conducted following the performance session. The previously held musical performance was also a part of this collaboration. It is hoped that there will be increased collaboration between PSPSR and industry in the future, which will allow students to acquire new knowledge and experience. This initiative supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). (Hajar Aznam)

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Universitas Gadjah Mada’s Graduate School hosted “Beyond the Gate” on August 14, 2025, as an opening event to welcome both new and returning students to the programmes in Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR). The session began with a presentation from Dr Paramitha Dyah Fitriasari, M.Hum., related to the master’s programme at PSPSR, followed by a presentation from Dr Budi Irawanto, S.I.P., M.A., as the head of the doctoral programme. Both describe the academic pathway and study plan, as well as the programme’s vision and mission. Dr G.R. Lono Lastoro Simatupang, M.A., also addressed the students with his welcome remarks, saying, “You (students) are not just users of theory but also makers of theory.” His words inspired the students who attended the session. This programme concluded with an individual introduction session for each fellow student, followed by a photography session and lunch together. On their first day on campus, the students who participated in the Beyond The Gate session were overjoyed by the warm reception they received. This activity supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). (Hajar Aznam)

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