'Creatives at Work' Arts Conference Begins

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 9-13 March 2009 at the Cape Town Lodge. The theme of the conference is Creatives at Work and youth from Eden, West Coast, Central Karoo, Cape Winelands and Overberg are participating.

"The 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 afield as Plettenberg Bay and Beaufort West who are interested in or already practicing artists in the performing arts or the visual arts," 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 & Language of 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 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 specialized 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 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 18-34 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 UK, especially the Identities Programme, the Global Changemakers 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.

Conference Programme

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For Enquiries:

Annerie Pruis
Tel: 021 483 9730