The Western Cape’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) has created an opportunity for five, previously disadvantaged young artists (ie. dancers, actors, visual artists or musicians) to access international expertise and be inspired by international trends.
It is embarking upon a search to find five of the most deserving young artists (18 to 34 years in age) in the Western Cape who are interested in, or are presently earning a living from the above creative disciplines. The five winners of the search will be taken on an “all expenses paid” developmental trip to the UK including the West End, where they will be assisted to develop relationships with similar-minded young artists, make contact with other professionals and open up business opportunities and networks for themselves and others.
The top five will be selected after a stringent three-part process that ensures that even those who do not make it will be able to access great opportunities. The top five will travel in late April and will be required to not only gather information for themselves, but for their entire local industry. Each winner will be required to share their experiences at various community, industry and media platforms throughout the remainder of the year to assist other youth in the creative industries. DEDAT is also in negotiations with the British Council to ensure further mentorship opportunities for the winners.
Says Garth Strachan, Western Cape Minister of Economic Development and Tourism: “Art offers us a platform from which we can see ourselves as a society, from a distance. Particularly important in the creative industries is self-sustainability that can only be achieved by empowering artists with business skills so they can sell and manage themselves as business entities. This is not to say they should stray from their artistic calling, but harnessing their talents will also go a long way towards making them self sustainable, continuously innovative and therefore economic contributors to society as well.”
For more information contact Bianca Mpahlaza on bmpahlaza@pgwc.gov.za or telephone (021) 483-9097 during office hours and 083 415-3534 after hours.
