Department of Arts and Culture to hire professional artists to mentor budding artists

KwaZulu-Natal Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation MEC, Mrs Weziwe Thusi, has called on experienced artists to support her department’s drive to mentor budding artists.

The department is looking for well-established artists to mentor upcoming artists in poetry, drama and comedy. The programme is part of a series of programmes by the department to promote the arts and nurture the artistic talent of aspiring artists in the province.

To ensure fairness and transparency during the selection process, a departmental selection committee with co-opted outsiders (artists and union representatives) will be put together to choose potential mentors who are going to be contracted to the department.

MEC Thusi described the initiative as groundbreaking.

“As a Department of Arts and Culture we are so excited about this initiative as it will give aspiring artists an opportunity to interact with their role models and learn from them. This will increase their knowledge and understanding of the arts industry while sharpening their artistic skills as well. We are therefore calling upon all those who feel they are equal to the task to come forward and help us make this dream a reality. This will no doubt empower artists as they will be acquiring skills from people who have travelled the same path,” said Thusi.

Artists wanting to participate can forward their CVs accompanied by portfolio of evidence to 222 Jabu Ndlovu Street Pietermaritzburg by 15 March 2011.

For more information, they can contact:
Mr Bongumenzi Mpungose
Tel: 033 264 3400