SIAD launches its website and alumni committee |12 September 2023

Members of the governing board

The Seychelles Institute of Art and Design (SIAD) launched its alumni committee and unveiled its official website during a cocktail event last week at the Maison Marengo, in Au Cap.

The setting up of the alumni committee is an initiative of the governing board to recognise talents of past students who have gone through the institute.

The institute, previously known as the School of Art & Design, has over the years produced graduates who are actually contributing towards the country’s socio-economic development.

Many of SIAD’s graduates are well known entrepreneurs, artists and designers.

When addressing the guests, SIAD’s director, Christine Chetty-Payet, stated that the committee’s mission is to help dispel the negative perception about the arts and its learners.

“The setting up of the alumni committee should play an important role in helping to shape the future of SIAD by representing the views of its members and contributing in building an engaged and supportive committee appropriate to our context,” she said.

Mrs Chetty-Payet said that the main objective of the committee was to develop and bring together a group of passionate and supportive alumni who will be actively engaged in the life of the institute and support it as ambassadors and volunteers, as well as reconnect with past lecturers and staff as a way of creating career and social opportunities.

Another objective was to provide opportunities for expanding their graduates’ professional network.

“Graduates will have the opportunity to network with recent grads as well as with seniors and these connections can lead to internship, jobs, clients, partnerships and other valuable career opportunities,” said the director.

Mrs Chetty-Payet mentioned that remaining in touch with institution and fellow alumni while also expanding their networks to enhance their professional opportunities help to foster a spirit of loyalty.

Speaking to the alumni, the director of SIAD said that she admired the multiple roles they were playing in the society, to help develop the creative industries in Seychelles and beyond.

“I wish to justify your efforts for the development of our society and the years you have spent at the school and institution,” she stated.

During the ceremony, the chairman of the governing board of SIAD, Martin Kennedy, unveiled the official website of the institute.

He said that the website further consolidates the importance of the institution, exposing them globally so that anyone could have access to their work.  It also gives a greater prestige and status to the creative industries in Seychelles.

“One of the things we need to do as an institution is archive the work that we do, when our students are involved in major national projects. For example the Seychelles Biennale of contemporary arts which took place last month could not have happened without SIAD’s students,” said Mr Kennedy.

He stated they had an enormous problem finding evidence of achievements in the visual arts from the past till now.

“It was clear to us that we need to record the achievements made across the visual arts landscape and we need to do it comprehensively. Since then I think we managed to do quite a good job with major catalogues recording everything from SIAD’s expositions to Dubai expos, to biennale here and overseas,” said the chairman.

He added it was very important to record the art work as it is produced and the impact it has on their audience and society.

“The website is basically a virtual archive and it will be a valuable resource not just for the public or visitors but to academics and research purposes. Since it is an ongoing project, it will also be updated monthly.

Last week’s event was also to remember past tutors, as the guests observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the few staff they have lost over the years.

Neil Sirame