City approves R15m in arts, culture funds
THE City yesterday announced it had approved R15 million to improve access to cultural activities and to extend the City’s reach and impact in the cultural and creative sectors across Cape Town.
The city is making the funds available to the Cape Town City Ballet, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Cape Town Opera, as well as the Baxter and Artscape theatres for the next financial year.
Mayco member for community services and health Zahid Badroodien said a broad range of activities would receive support through this funding, including programmes aimed at youth, inclusivity, skills development, new work for communities, audience development and indigenous masterclasses.
“The city is partnering with these organisations as part of our efforts to take arts and culture programmes to the most vulnerable residents.
“Many communities don’t have the opportunity to see a dance, theatre or performance piece, but with our assistance, these organisations are able to reach a much wider audience.
“Funding will enable them to continue the good work they’re doing in audience development and education,” Badroodien said.
Participation and engagement in art forms such as dance, drama, opera and classical music had the capacity to tell stories, produce public discourse, generate shared experiences and build empathy, he said.
These were key means to promoting social transformation and good citizenship while empowering artists to reach new audiences.
“The arts force us to challenge what we think about issues and compel us to review what we believe about the world around us.
“Everyone should see a theatre performance or stage production now and then.
“We’re proud of the work done by these organisations and look forward to our partnership having an even greater impact.”
There was no doubt that the arts strengthened the economy and sparked creativity and innovation, he added.
The Artscape and Baxter theatres will receive R2m each, the Cape Town Ballet and Cape Town Opera R3m each, and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra will receive R5m.
The grant to Artscape will go towards youth development, which includes their networks programme, high school drama, schools art and youth jazz festivals. Other projects the money will assist include the Artscape Women’s Arts and Humanity Programme and the resource centre.
At the Baxter Theatre, the grant will be used for the development of theatre practitioners, which include the Zabalaza Outreach and Development Programmes, and the development of new South African theatre works.
The grant to Cape Town Ballet is for the development of professional productions and training and development, which includes skills training, audience development, development performance and national events.