Artists and companies who wish to submit proposals for consideration for the 2011 National Arts Festival must do so by Friday 20 August.
Festival Director Ismail Mahomed is optimistic that a large number of proposals will be received following the steady overall growth for the festival of 8.4% this year.
“Artists and arts institutions value the incredible recognition and spin-offs that they receive by having their work showcased on the Main programme of the National Arts Festival; and they’re going full steam to fine tune their proposals to offer the Festival’s audiences an even more exciting programme in 2011′, he said.
The National Arts Festival will present the 37th edition of the festival from 30 June to 9 July 2011.
“We are looking for new and compelling work that raises the bar on excellence and innovation in the performing arts, visual arts and cross-disciplinary arts’, said Mahomed.
A festival committee comprising of specialists in the various art genres will review all the proposals. Recommendations will be made to the festival director who will compile a programme that continues to reflect the festival’s mission to be a leader in presenting the broadest representation of South African art forms over ten days.
Written proposals must include the following:
– Background of the institution, artist or promoter submitting the proposal
– A narrative description of the production / performance /exhibition
– Brief narrative biographies of the principal artists
– An artistic statement motivating why the work should be presented at the Festival in 2011
– A preliminary budget
The following supporting materials must also be included with the proposal:
– Theatre: a play-script or script in progress
– Music: CD / DVD
– Dance/Physical Theatre: DVD / Video
– Visual art/exhibitions: a portfolio (if applicable) or full details of the exhibition that is being proposed
– Performance art/cross disciplinary art: CD/DVD and any other materials that will support the proposal.
Proposals for genres which are not listed above must include samples of previous works and as much detail as possible so that the festival committee have all the relevant information on which to base their recommendations.
Detailed written proposals with all the relevant supporting materials must reach the Festival Director no later than Friday 20 August 2010.
Please check detailed requirements for individual disciplines on the website, www.nationalartsfestival.co.za.
Written proposals can be delivered in one of the following ways:
Fax: 046 622 3082
E-mail: ismail@nationalartsfestival.co.za
Post: PO Box 304, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
The Festival Director is available for consultation for further guidelines about submitting proposals for the Main programme. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Ismail Mahomed by e-mail at ismail@nationalartsfestival.co.za or by telephone at 046 603 1103.
The deadline for registration on the Fringe is 28 January 2011. Details about registering for the Fringe will be released at a later date.
The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The Eastern Cape Government, The National Arts Council, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, The Sunday Independent and M Net.
