South Ural State University is the largest university in the region and one of the major higher education institutions with deep traditions of intellectual and aesthetic development of students. It is facilitated by the University’s Arts Hall, TV center, Art and Leisure Center, Student Philarmonic Hall, Virtual Branch of Russian Museum, Andrey Pervozvanny Orthodox Chapel.
The foundation for art and cultural development concept within the university is the optimization of educational process by collaborating with leading organizations and distinguished artists and cultural figures. The most outstanding realization of this concept is expressed by a wondrous tradition to open every philarmonical season with a concert of the best state philarmonic orchestras (e.g. Tchaikovsky orchestra with V. Fedoseev as Principal Conductor, Svetlanov Symphony Orchestra) on the stage of architecturally and acoustically great Assembly Hall. Foreign orchestras are also invited, with "Italian virtuosos" chamber orchestra and The United States Air Forces in Europe Band among them.
The university is decorated with spectacular artworks, including pictures by V.A. Neyasov and replica of "Russia" statue by N.A. Laveretsky in the front hall of the SUSU main building. Vardkes Avakyan, the People's Artist of the Russian Federation, created the bronze sculpture of student at the square in front of main university building, which has become a symbol and a part of the symbol of the university, as well as marble portraits of major scientists for the second floor lobby, marble bust of A.S. Puskin for Pushkin Hall, bronze sculptures of Prometheus and Nike, built after the reconstruction of high-rise part of the building, and marble sculpture of a girl that form a single complex with the fountain at the hall of 3rd building. The reading room of SUSU main building is decorated by a ceramic frieze, masterfully created by Chelyabinsk sculptor A.P. Kudryavstev. The frieze depicts the images of different ages of art history from Ancient Egypt to abstract painting. Puskin Hall features "The creation of the world" - another frieze of this sculptor.
The artworks located in the university as well as its recreated majestic appearance are gradually educating the students. The University conducts activities in many directions, including the display, maintenance and publishing of museum exhibit items and collections as a cultural institution and exploring and researching the artworks as a research institution. As a means of social policy it accustoms large numbers of people, especially school and college students in the first place, to material and spiritual culture of the region through concerts, artworks, and exhibitions. This foundations served as a basis for "Scientific and methodological support of South Ural State University activities in artistic and aestetic student education" project grant-supported by Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian federation within Analytical departamental targeted program "Increasing scientific potential of higher education institutions" (2009–2011) (Headed by N.V. Parfentieva, professor).
Scientific and historical artistic research of the South Urals makes an important contribution to science and education in Russia. As long as the foundation for professional training was established, the university activities aimed at popularizing, researching, and collecting artworks makes a worthy contribution to the preservation of national cultural and spiritual wealth.
Performance Groups
Music
- Chamber Orchestra
- Jazz Orchestra Conducted by Georgiy Anokhin
- Jazz Band
- Russian Folk Orchestra
- Body and Soul Vocal and Instrumental Band
- PIANIST Studio
Vocals
- Primavera Choir
- Choir of the Automobile and Tractor Faculty
- Singer-Songwriter Club
- Pop Music Vocals Studio
Choreography
- Ballroom Dancing Group
- L-Classic Classical Dance Studio
- The Deep Vision Modern Dance Group
- Crazy Family SUSU Dance Crew
- The Paradox Dance Group
- Urban Dance Studio
Theatre
- The Mannequin Theatre Studio
- Folk-ton Music Theatre
- Valkiria Fashion Show Theatre
Literature
- Student Parnassus Poetry Club
