The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown is extending a helping hand to aspiring artists from Port Elizabeth and nearby areas.
The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown is extending a helping hand to aspiring artists from Port Elizabeth and nearby areas.
On Wednesday the Festival went into a partnership with the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) to give more spotlight to local Eastern Cape performers.
For a start 50 musicians from the Port Elizabeth Youth Violin Project will be scheduled to perform and be given the opportunity to attend other Festival concerts.
The young violinists will also attend a workshop led by Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner Samson Diamond (2010) and other musicians.
One other major arts project from Port Elizabeth, yet to be announced, will also be presented on the Festival’s Main programme.
Details will be released in April.
“This is a major step towards positioning Port Elizabeth as a mainstream player in the South African arts sector. I’m delighted that the Festival and the MBDA can work together with a shared vision,” said Festival director Ismail Mahomed.
Planning and development manager of the MBDA Dorelle Sapere said, “The MBDA is thrilled to be partnering with the National Arts Festival… Being part of a world-class event such as the Festival is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the creative talent in Nelson Mandela Bay”.
