Bank hailed for new sponsorship of arts festival

STANDARD Bank has renewed its sponsorship of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown for a further three years.

“Our partnership extends back to 1984 and has endured ever since – most recently as the title sponsor of both the Jazz Festival and the Young Artist Awards, two flagship properties in the festival stable,” National Arts Festival chief executive Tony Lankester said.

The most recent study conducted by Rhodes University’s department of economics credited the festival with making a R377-million contribution to the GDP of the province and R94-million to the city, predominantly through employment and visitor spend.

The bank sponsorship covers just under one-third of the festival’s operating budget, with the balance coming from other presenting sponsors – the Eastern Cape government, the national Department of Arts and Culture, the National Lotteries Commission and independent sources such as ticket sales and commissions.

From next year, in addition to sponsoring the Jazz and Young Artist Awards, the bank would be partnering on the creation of a mini festival that would focus on the digital arts and the spaces where technology and the arts converged, Lankester said.

“Technology is changing the way we experience art and is giving today’s artists new freedom in the way they create and promote their work,” he said.

“Grahamstown is the perfect place to explore this new digital frontier – it will add a whole new dimension to the festival.”

Standard Bank would also be acquiring the naming rights to the festival’s new craft market as it moved to its new home and underwent a facelift, Lankester said.

Among the changes planned for the market are the introduction of performance spaces, extended trading hours for the popular beer tent on certain nights, a layout redesign, the inclusion of visual artists in the market precinct, and a greater emphasis on children’s entertainment and activities.

“We’re working with our partners, including some of the traders and crafters, to design the new market.

“Standard Bank’s investment will give the market a solid business partner, while also giving us the space to create a unique and memorable experience for our visitors,” Lankester said.

Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa applauded the renewal of the partnership.

National Arts Festival chairman Ayanda Mjekula also thanked the bank for its ongoing support of the arts.

We’re working with our partners, including some of the traders and crafters, to design the new market