Artists bring hope to Johannesburg area

Art project makes people to look at crime- hit city centre in a new light

For decades the centre of Johannesburg has been considered a no- go area for tourists and locals alike due to high crime rates.

But after many years of suffering urban flight, people are slowly returning to the downtown, thanks in no small part to an art project run by Jonathan Liebmann.

Five years ago, Liebmann founded the Maboneng art precinct in an area that was then crime- ridden and full of the city’s poorest.

At the time, people with money preferred to live in Johannesburg’s new centre in Sandton. Liebmann figured he could attract them back.

“We basically wanted to breath some new life into the city centre,” says the 30- year- old.

Liebmann bought a rundown building complex in Maboneng Precinct that has been transformed into Arts on Main, a mixed- use creative hub containing artists’ studios, galleries, restaurants, and office and retail space.

“This was meant to send out a message to the entire area,” explains Liebmann.

The plan was certainly a success, as more and more businesses are being attracted to this urban neighbourhood. Today, Maboneng Precinct is brimming with artists’ studios, apartments, hotels and restaurants. New businesses open on an almost weekly basis.

The firm founded by Liebmann has now renovated 35 buildings and around 1,000 people live in the arts- gentrified area.

The environment has not only proved attractive for the city’s creative community. Tourists are slowly making the journey to downtown Johannesburg to visit galleries such as Love Jozi, Black Coffee or David Krut.

Sculptures are exhibited alongside fashion, next door to studios where it is possible to see artworks being created.