"Art is a powerful medium to bring young people from different backgrounds and cultures together, exposing them to different ideas and opportunities and expanding their horizons," says Marlene le Roux, Artscape's director for audience development and education.
"Our vision is to offer culturally diverse educational and youth and skills programmes to all communities of the Western Cape. This year we aim to expand our vision of taking theatre to the people, and making it accessible to all. In presenting these educational programmes, entertainment and life skills courses, we gratefully acknowledge the support of all our partners and sponsors, both nationally and internationally," she says.
Some of the Artscape development focus areas for 2012 are Grade 12 set works in Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa. The Afrikaans set work is 'Baby' by EKM Dido (21-25 February), the English set work is William Shakespeare's comedy 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (10-21 April) and the isiXhosa set work is 'Amaza' by ZS Qangule (30 April to 12 May).
The High School Drama Mini Festivals (16-19, 24 and 25 May) will take place at various schools. This event gives learners an opportunity to create and present an original drama around a central theme on a professional stage. This year's theme is Living Values (Lewenswaardes, Impawu Zentsulungeko Zokuphila Koluntu). Of the approximately 50 entries, 14 schools are selected to
participate in the main festival at the Artscape Arena from13-18 August.
The Artscape Youth Jazz Festival takes place on 2 June at the Artscape Theatre. Young aspiring musicians have participated in an annual mentoring programme, which culminates in an extraordinary festival. Legendary jazz trumpeter, Ian Smith, steers this project.
This year sees the 41st Western Cape Youth Classical Music Festival hosted by Artscape and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. It will be held at Artscape Theatre on 18 August. Young singers and solo instrumentalists are offered the opportunity of performing with the orchestra.
The Youth Day focus on 16 June will be disability. The Careers for Youth with Disabilities in South Africa (CYDiSA) will present various programmes on career options. The overall goal is to ensure that youth with disabilities are included and valued as active members of a mainstream workforce.
Visual arts get a showing with the School Arts Festival from14-28 August. This will showcase work from arts-focus schools around the Western Cape. The Ibhabhathane Project will host a visual arts exhibition in the Artscape Theatre foyers during this festival. Exhibited works may include drawings, paintings, sculpture and crafts. The festival ends with a gala event on August 30.
The theme for the annual Artscape Women's Festival from 8-11 August) is humanity. This festival will include various productions and discussions that celebrate, understand and participate in the importance of women. This day aims to bridge the gap between today's youth and the older generation who are responsible for the recognition of this day.
For more information, go to www.artscape.co.za.
