11 March 2009
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport in partnership with the British
Council and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in the Western
Cape are currently hosting an arts conference from 9 to 13 March 2009 at the
Cape Town Lodge. The theme of the conference is creative at work and youth from
Eden, West Coast, Central Karoo, Cape Winelands and Overberg are
participating.
âThe conference will provide mentorship, inform on, career and networking
opportunities for 100 HDI performers and visual artists from Cape Town, the
West Coast and as far a field as Plettenberg Bay and Beaufort West who are
interested in or already practicing artists in the performing arts or the
visual arts,â MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Mr Cameron Dugmore said.
The 155 artists (55 from rural areas) were welcomed on Monday evening with a
traditional braai at the Washhouses at the Table Mountain National Park after
they checked in at the Best Western Suites in Cape Town. The conference was
officially opened on Tuesday morning by Jane Moleleki, Director of Arts,
Culture and Language of Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and
powerful presentations followed by Delecia Forbes, Director at the Department
of Economic Development and Tourism on the state of the Arts and Creative
Industries globally, nationally and locally Brian Heydenreich from Performing
Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) discussed the performing arts and Bianca
Baldi followed in his steps on visual arts. Before the delegates departed to
the Centre for Film Makers at the Waterfront Studios, Peter Theunissen from the
Music Industry Commission delivered valuable input in this specialised
field.
Apart from needs analysis, debates on funding policies and international
case studies, delegates will be guided to develop their own business plans.
During this week they will also be exposed to visits to the Cape Craft Design
Institute's Fab Lab, Gift Warehouse and Oval House Theatre United Kingdom (UK)
performances at the theatre in the district.
This opportunity is not only about networking on needs, talents and
challenges but also includes intensive training on protecting the intellectual
property of our artists and marketing their products. The focus is mainly on
young people between 18 to 34, who have difficulty accessing the markets and
funding structures in the government departments. It provides an opportunity
for sharing the good practice of young people working in the creative
industries and networking with others who have an interest in this specific
field.
It also draws on existing projects that the British Council has run with
young people in the Southern Africa and the United Kingdomn (UK), especially
the identities programme, the global change makers and the lines of
attitude.
Ten young people from within Africa and the UK, who have been working in the
British Council's identities project over the past two years are facilitating
the conference sessions.
As youth facilitators and practicing artists, they are sharing their
experience with these young people as models of good practice, present the work
they have been conducting. The aim is to showcase how they built on their work
over the past couple of years. After the conference, the participants will be
having a better understanding of how to access provincial government and also a
personalised career path.
Enquiries:
Annerie Pruis
Tel: 021 483 9730
Issued by: Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Western Cape Provincial
Government
11 March 2009
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za/)
