An arts prize that helps
SOCIAL IMPACT: INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES STAND TO GAIN
The aim is to use creativity to tackle social injustices, says Rupert.
Anew South African art prize with a focus on social impact that has a direct, measurable effect on individuals and communities has been launched.
Supported by the non-profit Rupert Art Foundation and the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch, the Social Impact Arts Prize calls for arts-based activities, projects or programmes in specific categories in South Africa – education, employment, community, environment, technology and direct arts – where social impact can be both qualitatively and quantitatively measured.
“Through this competition, we would like to contribute to the very inspiring communities in South Africa and the world, who are already using creativity to tackle social injustices,” says executive chair Hanneli Rupert.
Unlike most established art competitions in South Africa which focus specifically on fine art, this initiative will provide a different lens on art practices and their role in communities: how a great idea has the potential to motivate, inspire and help a group of people, and be used as a catalyst for change.
Artists, architects and engineers, landscapers, environmentalists, creative visionaries and other experienced community-based creatives are invited to submit impactful, creative and meaningful ideas and concepts for the award’s consideration. “It’s incredibly exciting to operate in a time where the arts can be developed as instruments of change,” says director Roelof van Wyk. “Imagining new ways of integrating art, society and the environment are being explored.
“We believe that a prize of this type will draw attention towards arts practices which can point towards societal change,” says Van Wyk.
The Social Impact Arts Prize was recently launched in Johan
nesburg and is supported by online and offline workshops to create effective proposal guidance for entrants.
Submissions close on December 15.
The announcement of the shortlist and winner will take place in February next year at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch.
The final project will be open to the public in Graaff-Reinet from June next year.
“Graaff-Reinet has been selected as the site for several reasons. Its unique landscape – which already draws leading palaeontologists and environmentalists from around the world – reminds us of the deeper picture,” says Rupert.
“Its location in relation to the country’s major cities will allow breathing room for creative ideas to grow.
“And hopefully, in time, we can continue to build on the legacy of the town as a ‘Museum without Walls’,” says Rupert.
Interested creatives can register on www.socialimpactartsprize and get all the details on the categories, criteria and submission requirements.