Transforming Academic Spaces: Art Curation for Stellenbosch University Business School

Client: Stellenbosch University Business School
Location: Bellville, Cape Town
Artists: Conform, Aweh Migo, Bazil Baxter, DBongz, Su Opperman, Teresa Decinti, Hilda Alet Malan, Lorenzo Nassimbeni, Chris Auret
Theme: Curation

Stellenbosch University Business School came to us with something a bit different from our usual wall work. They wanted us to curate and commission original art for their Bellville campus – basically, help them create spaces that actually inspire students and staff while staying true to South African culture.

We were excited about the challenge.

Our Process

Scoping the Space
First things first – we walked the entire campus, mapping out spots where art could really make an impact. We’re talking about finding those spaces where people naturally gather, pass through, or need a bit of creative energy.

Creating the Vision
Instead of just throwing art at walls, we crafted specific briefs for each piece. Every brief connected multiple dots:

– What the university stands for
– Stellenbosch’s cultural vibe
– Bellville’s community spirit
– Proudly South African stories
– Leadership themes that speak to future business leaders

Finding Our Artists
This is where it got exciting. We handpicked eight incredible artists whose work matched our vision – including several street artists who brought that raw urban energy into an academic setting. Because honestly, who says university walls can’t have some street credibility?

The mediums were all over the place in the best way: wallpaper installations, ink on paper, digital art, and painted canvas. We wanted to show the full spectrum of what South African creativity looks like.

Making It Happen

We managed everything from initial concepts through to final installation. Our team kept everyone on the same page, made sure the quality was on point, and handled all the logistics of getting eight different artworks up across campus.

The Result

Eight original pieces that turned the Business School into a space where South African creativity meets academic ambition. The campus now has that energy – you know, the kind that makes you want to stick around and actually engage with the space.

What This Means for Us

This project proved we can take our street art roots and apply them to bigger, more complex gigs. We’re not just about murals anymore – we can curate, commission, and execute full art programs while keeping it real and keeping it local.

Got a space that needs some creative love? Let’s chat about what Free the Walls can do for you.