CMS for The Africa Consortium

<h3>News</h3><h3 align="right"><a href="/news-archive-new.asp">News Archive</a></h3><h2>4th World Summit on Arts and Culture to be held in Johannesburg in September</h2> <div id="col1"><a href="http://www.artsummit.org/"><img src="http://www.artsummit.org/site_media/images/smallLogo.png" alt="" align="left" /></a></div> <h4>From the 22nd to 25th September 2009, delegates from around the world will gather to explore, debate and share best practice experiences under the Summit theme: Meeting of Cultures:Creating Meaning through The Arts.</h4>The summit will take place at Museum Afrika in the heart of Jo'burg's cultural hotspot, the Newtown Cultural Precinct and will be hosted by the National Arts Council(NAC) of South Africa and the International Federation of Arts Councils and Cultural Agencies (IFACCA).The event presents a rare and valuable opportunity to engage with the highest ever number of delegates from the African continent.   The 4th World Summit on Arts and Culture, the first in Africa, is set to be a dynamic landmark event.Mike Van Graan(Programme Director) says:  This year's theme Meeting of Cultures:Creating Meaning through The Arts, intends to create the intellectual space to begin to interrogate some of the key questions about the role, meaning and practice of the arts in a culturally divided world, in multicultural societies challenged by cultural tensions and in local communities sitting on the potential powder keg of antagonistic cultural identities.For more information visit:<a href="http://www.artsummit.org" target="_blank">http://www.artsummit.org </a>     <h2>VISITING ARTS CURATORS’ VISIT TO MALI  -  November 2009</h2><img src="http://www.africaconsortium.co.uk/images/cms/rencontres.png" alt="rencontres.png" title="rencontres.png" width="253" height="71" align="left" /> Visiting Arts will be leading a curators’ visit to The Bamako Encounters, Biennial of African Photography, Mali, during November 2009. Established since 1994, the 2009 Biennial takes the theme of ‘Borders’ and forms the eighth edition of this event. Contemporary works from across the African continent will be presented to create an exhibition programme that promotes opportunities for regional integration, international exchange and dialogue and that facilitates links with photography festivals and visual arts arenas throughout Africa and around the world.   The visit is currently being scheduled for a five/six day period with planned departure from the UK on Friday November 6 for attendance at the Biennial opening from Saturday November 7. Part of the itinerary will also include meetings with artists, curators and networking events, to encourage collaborative working.   Flights and visas will be funded by Visiting Arts.   The programme is open to application from UK based visual arts curators at all levels. Expressions of interest should be registered by Friday September 25 2009 and include: *    A cover letter stating how the visit will benefit your practice *    CV (two pages max.) We will consider applicants who fulfil the following eligibility criteria: *    A track record of commissioning work and managing international projects and developing sustainable international links *    The ability to take forward initiatives within their own organisations or, if freelance, with existing partnerships and relationships Please note, there are limited places available on this visit. If you are interested in joining us please send the above information tokathryn.standing@visitingarts.org.uk Deadline: Friday September 25 2009 <h2>1mile² Johannesburg - Visiting Arts Seeks Proposals from UK Artists</h2> <img src="http://www.africaconsortium.co.uk/images/cms/VisitingArtsLogowebsite.jpg" alt="VisitingArtsLogowebsite.jpg" title="VisitingArtsLogowebsite.jpg" width="140" height="83" align="left" />Visiting Arts is pleased to announce 1mile² Johannesburg. The project, due to begin in September is set to take place around the bustling Joubert park area of Johannesburg - a frantic hub of one of the greenest cities in the world.The project is an exciting partnership between Visiting Arts, Arts Alive 2009 festival and JAG (Johannesburg Art Gallery) who are passionate about connecting their organisation to the people, honouring what is already happening in the community, and connecting communities to the world. Brenda Devar (Arts Alive) is 'thrilled' to be supporting 1mile² Johannesburg as part of Arts Alive 2009 and Antoinette Murdoch, new chief curator at JAG is pulling out all the stops to bring the best of the city's thriving arts scene to the project.We are currently accepting proposals for artists from the UK to travel to Johannesburg in September. Updated guidelines and application form are available to download from our website. The deadline for applications has been extended to Mon 17 August.For more information please visit the Visiting Arts <a href="http://visitingarts.newsweaver.co.uk/newsletter/ihyp7mwyqzk76l73v69tow">website</a> or contact <a href="mailto:Sabrina.smith-noble@visitingarts.org.uk">Sabrina.smith-noble@visitingarts.org.uk</a> <h2>National Arts Council appoints CEO, 14 July 2009, South Africa</h2>The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) announces the appointment of Ms Annabell Lebethe as the new Chief Executive Officer.Ms Lebethe leaves her post as Director: Creative Industries at the Gauteng Provincial Government to take up office at the NAC on Wednesday, 15 July, 2009.The appointment comes at a time when funding for the South African arts sector has been negatively affected by the global economic slow-down. Artists who are mostly reliant on public and private sector funding are experiencing extreme difficulty in securing financial support for productions and development of their craft. Prior to her appointment at the NAC, Lebethe was instrumental in overseeing the development of sector strategies [craft, music and performing arts] within the Gauteng Department of Sport Arts, Culture and Recreation. Among her achievements at the Department, her most notable is overseeing the inaugural Gauteng Creative Mapping Project – a first for South Africa – which provided economic indicators across 10 creative industries sub-sectors in Gauteng. She was also responsible for overseeing the establishment of the Craft and Design Centre Gauteng, a sector agency set up to ensure development of the Gauteng craft sector.Commenting on her appointment, Lebethe says: “I am thrilled and humbled at the task that has been entrusted to me. I’m committed to taking the NAC to the next level in its lifecycle, wherein we go beyond our role as funding agency to critically and strategically engage with the arts sector. Above all, the NAC will play a new role that begins to define the arts and culture landscape wherein arts and culture is part of the SA economic mainstream. In the short term, I look forward to ensuring that the NAC hosts a successful Arts and Culture World Summit.”   <h2>First Mooge Festival in Somaliland</h2>The First Mooge cultural festival was held between the 22nd and 27th in Hargeysa, the capitol of Somaliland. The theme for the 2009 Mooge Festival was on censorship. KAYD (Somali Art and Youth Entertainment) decided to name their first Somali Art & Culture Festival in honour of Mohamed Mooge Liibaan, a teacher and musician, who is acclaimed for his integrity and revolutionary zeal. Throughout his life, he has managed to maintain his social ideals in his teachings and music. Mooge believed that the role and responsibility of the artist is to stand up for the freedom of his society and to be creative even when faced with censorship.  For more information about KAYD and the Mooge Festival visit:<a href="http://kayd.org/?page_id=104" target="_blank">http://kayd.org/?page_id=104 </a>KAYD also run the Somali Week Festival from Oct 22nd to 26th in London during Black History Month in the UK. For more information go to the Events page. <h2>Commonwealth prioritises culture in sustainable development</h2>Governments, development organisations and donors should do more to recognise the role culture plays in a wide range of development processes, according to Baroness Lola Young, Chair of the new Commonwealth Group on Culture and Development. The Commonwealth Group on Culture and Development, made up of thirteen civil society and development experts from across the Commonwealth, will meet for the first time in London on June 25 and 26, charged with the task of highlighting to member governments the significant potential that culture has to contribute to sustainable human development."Creative and cultural expression is a vital part of being human. Across the Commonwealth there is a multitude of talented, creative people with the capacity to engage with all forms of cultural expression. If these talents are nurtured, creativity can make a significant contribution to social, cultural and economic development" said Baroness Lola Young, Chair of the Group and UK crossbench peer. "We believe that politicians from Commonwealth countries could draw substantial benefits from supporting the creative and cultural sectors to contribute to development, and I am delighted to be working with a group of skilled, knowledgeable colleagues to raise the profile of this issue and make faster progress". For full report visit the Commonwealth Foundation website: <a href="http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/news/news/detail.cfm?id=537" target="_blank">http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/news/news/detail.cfm?id=537</a> <h2>Official closure of Algiers 2nd Panafrican festival: Mama Africa illuminates African culture</h2><img class="image1" src="http://www.panafalger2009.com/PanafImagesBib/Images%20Des%20Rubriques/Colloques/Cl%C3%B4ture.jpg" alt="" width="182" height="159" align="left" />Algiers 2nd Panafrican cultural festival officially saw its end Monday evening by a majestic choreographic spectacle under the name of “Mama Africa”, and which was a tribute to the famous South African singer Myriam Makeba. Atlas movie theatre, which hosted this choreographic fresco, have vibrated, for one hour and a half, to the African music and rhythms. Many choreographic shows have been performed, expressing water, life, national and African identity, but especially the history as catalyser of forces and African unity.  For more information visit: <a href="http://www.panafalger2009.com" target="_blank">http://www.panafalger2009.com </a><h2>Malian actor Sotigui Kouyaté awarded Officier des Arts et des Lettres' medal by French Ministry of Culture</h2>Taken from article by Hassouna Mansouri in The Power Of Culture Newsletter <a href="http://www.powerofculture.nl/en/current/2009/june/kouyate" target="_blank">http://www.powerofculture.nl/en/current/2009/june/kouyate</a> <img src="http://www.powerofculture.nl/files/images/sotigui_kouyate2.jpg" alt="image" width="178" height="133" align="left" /> <div class="caption"><h3>Sotigui Kouyaté in Cannes</h3></div>Actor Sotigui Kouyaté from Mali was awarded the 'Officier des Arts et des Lettres' medal during the 62nd Cannes Film Festival by the French Ministry of Culture. Only a few months earlier Kouyaté won the Silver Bear for best actor at the Berlin Film Festival.Kouyaté lives in Paris but often travels to Africa to organise projects: "I want to be involved in my continent. I have already directed two stage plays: Antigone and then Oedipus, which we played in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. I am currently working with Salina by Laurent Gaudé. Hopefully it will tour Africa." Yet again a French text tailored to the African situation. Kouyaté has his own views on cultural exchange. "When directors stage European plays with African actors who speak French, there is no exchange. What I do is present a French text in an African context, and the language is adjusted accordingly." Because West Africa has no theatre infrastructure, Kouyaté is continually starting at the very beginning. Which means that he always needs to modify texts and train actors.  <h2>A Network U40 Africa has been created</h2><h3><img src="http://u40africa.unblog.fr/files/2009/06/17d9b9a310.jpg" alt="The image “http://u40africa.unblog.fr/files/2009/06/17d9b9a310.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors." width="263" height="198" align="left" />"Proposals for Cultural Diversity 2030"</h3>Initiated by the representatives of African countries at the U40 World Forum in Paris, June 2009, the U40 Africa has been created. Its main mission is to support the principles of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. U40 Africa's proposals were collaboratively developed by 50 young professionals on culture from 34 countries, each active members of civil society during the U40-World Forum (12-14 June 2009). These proposals are addressed to delegates from State Parties and Observers to the 2nd Conference of Parties (June 2009) to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005). The U40-World Forum is the main part of the U40-Capacity Building Programme "Cultural Diversity 2030" (2008- 2010) initiated by the German Commission for UNESCO in 2007. As a pre-conference, the U40-World Forum will be held back-to-back with the Conference of Parties of the 2005-UNESCO Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression in June 2009. The U40-process offers young people Under 40 - postgraduates, PhD students, young professionals, and similarly qualified experts - the opportunity to participate in the international debate on Cultural Diversity and the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression.The U40-World Forum is funded by the Spanish Ministry for Culture, Canadian Heritage, Catalan Government, Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, Arts and Culture, Canadian National Commission for UNESCO, Finnish National Commission for UNESCO, French Coalition for Cultural Diversity.All intitiatives, membership and thoughts are welcome to enhance this network and enable it to take concrete actions. Blog: <a href="http://u40africa.unblog.fr/" target="_blank">http://u40africa.unblog.fr/</a> Contact: <a href="http://www.africaconsortium.co.uk/cms/a.kessab@yahoo.fr" target="_blank">a.kessab@yahoo.fr </a> <a href="http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/downloads/handsonform.pdf"></a>     <h2>The WOMAD Summer School</h2><img src="http://www.africaconsortium.co.uk/images/cms/womad%20camp2.jpg" alt="womad camp2.jpg" title="womad camp2.jpg" width="200" height="100" align="left" />Come and be part of this incredible opportunity to learn firsthand from some of the world's most vibrant and accomplished performing artists - from drum legend Billy Cobham to classic UK songwriter Andy White, West African kora maestro N'Faly Kouyaté and acclaimed guitarist Justin Adams. A chance to be immersed in an exhilarating, creative atmosphere with the broad swath of cultural flavours you'd expect from a WOMAD festival - a week of workshops, collaborations and discussions offers endless possibilities for cross-pollination and jamming, carrying the spirit of the week through to a wonderful showcase on the final night. Situated in the idyllic grounds of Bath Spa University, these residential courses will include plenty of opportunities to get to know musicians with amazing stories to tell and an enormous breadth of experience. Date: 28th July – 1st August 2009 For more information: <a href="http://www.womad.org/festivals/summer-school/">http://www.womad.org/festivals/summer-school/</a>  <h2 align="left">Tambo Tambulani Tambo - Tambo International Art Camp</h2>Join in / Hodina!  July 14th – July 20th 2009<img src="http://www.africaconsortium.co.uk/images/cms/logotambowebgray.jpg" alt="logotambowebgray.jpg" title="logotambowebgray.jpg" width="182" height="148" align="left" />6 days of unique possibilities to experience the multicultural art scene and traditions of Pemba – Mozambique. Together with local and foreign artists you will participate in: <ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt">Art workshops of dance, theatre, music, design and more</div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt">Visit local artists like the Mask Mapiko dancers, Makonde carvers, the Arab inspired Tufo choir and more Performances</div></li><li><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 8.5pt">IV Festival “Celebrating Cultural Diversity” </div></li></ul>The Art Camp takes place at the Cultural Centre “Tambo”, the home of the Tambo Tambulani Tambo.Participation fee including food and accommodation: US $ 100.E-mail: <a href="mailto:tambulanimoz@gmail.com">tambulanimoz@gmail.com</a>. Please state art forms of special interest to you. Organised by Tambo Tambulani Tambo, founded in 1995 in Pemba to promote art through own productions, events and debates to improve conditions of artists. <a href="http://www.tambo.nl/">www.tambo.nl</a> . + 258 82 55 95 390 / 82 66 13 400 Pemba is located at the 3rd largest bay in the world, has over centuries attracted people from many continents to settle creating a multicultural environment.<h2>The SA Art Information Directory '09</h2>South Africa’s white and yellow pages of the South African art world in its 6th edition is now available to artists, leading decision makers, gallery owners and directors of collections, local and international art libraries. The directory is the largest verified source of information regarding SA art infrastructure (schools, museums, galleries, studios, framing, material manufacture, material retailers, publicity companies etc.).Read more at <a style="color: windowtext" href="http://southafrica.africancolours.net/content/19324">http://southafrica.africancolours.net/content/19324</a>  <h2>Punch Records is looking for a Project/Office Administrator</h2>Punch is currently looking for an energetic, organised and adaptable part-time administrator to support the work of our lively office. This is a busy role that requires at least 2 years proven admin experience and the ability to juggle multiple priorities. This job is full of variety and challenges and a keen interest and commitment to music, social inclusion and education is advantageous. The Administrator will be responsible for maintaining admin systems, keeping detailed records of all incoming and outgoing invoices and supporting the Punch’s project work. They will also prepare all financial records to assist the company bookkeeper. With access to confidential company records, we are looking for somebody responsible, trustworthy and with the ability to act with discretion.For more detailed information about the post or if you are interested in applying for this position go to <a href="http://www.punch-records.co.uk" target="_blank">www.punch-records.co.uk</a> where you will find an application form you can download and return to Cynthia Torto at cynthia@punch-records.co.uk . You can also call Cynthia on 0121 224 7443 for an informal conversation.<h2>ARTerial Network marketing workshop news </h2>Arts Marketing Workshop at the Harare International Festival of the Arts The ARTerial Network, with support from the National Arts Council of South Africa, hosted an arts marketing workshop as part of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) at the Book Café, a well-known cultural hub in Harare. About 35 delegates representing nine SADC countries - Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe gathered over two days to discuss the building of regional arts markets, share best practice arts marketing experience, learn from each other and work towards developing an Arts Marketing Toolkit that is rooted in and responds to the varying conditions between and within Southern African countries.An editorial team comprising was elected to oversee the drafting of the Arts Marketing Toolkit that will also be funded by the National Arts Council of South Africa. The aim is to launch this Toolkit at the Second ARTerial Network Conference in September 2009.    <h2>Aluta Film festival call for entries </h2>The organisers of the Aluta Film Festival, South Africa’s premier township cinema event, are calling for entries from South African and International filmmakers for 2010, the 7th edition of the festival. The 2010 film festival edition will be hosted on the 22nd till 28th February 2010 in Kimberley Submissions MUST be from filmmakers who have produced films that embrace BLACK experiences worldwide and/or experiences of marginalized communities from across the globe. Submissions MUST be from filmmakers from all over the world with special emphasis on world cinema (films that explore history, social issues and highlight marginalized communities within the developing world). ALUTA FILM FESTIVAL 2010 dates: Monday 22 – Saturday 28 February 2010 ALUTA FILM FESTIVAL - CALL FOR ENTRY DEADLINE: Monday 30 November 2009 ALUTA FILM FESTIVAL accepts features, documentaries and short films in the genres/sub-genres of drama, action, thriller, comedy, animation and factual. Filmmakers must guarantee, should their film/video be selected, that permission from the rights holder is secured for a minimum of four screenings at the 7th annual Aluta Film Festival 2010.Filmmakers are requested to submit DVD PAL screeners of their films and a brief filmmaker biography for viewing by our panel, upon viewing – all selected filmmakers will be forwarded the official application details as well as all festival regulations. Please note that no screeners will be returned.For additional information feel free to contact festival director at motheoseleke@yahoo.com. All entries MUST be forwarded to the address below.Motheo SelekeAluta Film Festival18985 Guttenburg Pitse Street John Mampe. Phase One Galeshewe. Kimberley . 8300 South Africa  <h2>The African Perspectives 2009: Call for Entries </h2>Archiafrica invites you submission of abstracts for an entry for the African Perspectives 2009 conference, to be held in Pretoria between 24 – 28 September, on the theme the African City Centre (Re)sourced. Entries can be in the form of papers, films, documents, artwork, music or other proposals. The 4th African Perspectives Conference will include interdisciplinary lectures, debates, presentations, tours, exhibitions, shows and workshops on the heart of the African city, with scholars, students, artists, policy makers, architects, city planners and all others interested from the African continent and beyond. Further details at: <a style="color: blue" href="http://www.africanperspectives.info/">www.africanperspectives.info</a>E-mail: <a style="color: blue" href="mailto:info@archiafrika.org">info@archiafrika.org</a>     <h2>The Flamingo Artists Centre - Uganda </h2> <img style="width: 282px; height: 119px" src="http://www.africaconsortium.co.uk/images/cms/flamingo_banner.jpg" alt="flamingo_banner.jpg" title="flamingo_banner.jpg" width="382" height="127" align="left" />Call out for new members!Workshops - conducted in Blue Hut hotel, Uganda National Theatre, Kampala for writers. The first workshop is used to introduce the new members to the activities of the club, and give them skills necessary in their writing careers and theatre. The second workshop acts as a meeting point for old members to meet with new members and discuss on issues affecting the club.  New plays in production: Dating Genius Venue: University of Nairobi Between a rock and a hard place Venue: Kenya National Theatre  Managing Director Humphrey Otieno Miller has written a novel called ‘Blood Rush’ and is currently working with Dorrance Publishing Co. to publish it. It is about a man, Hamisi, who is sent to a business trip abroad by his company, while there he is kidnapped by some of the company’s business rivals. When the man comes back home, he finds out that his wife had left him long ago.Once the book is published, Humphrey is looking for an opportunity to turn it into a film. For this he will require a personal director, film producer and marketing. Please e-mail <a href="mailto:humbluereggae@yahoo.co.uk">humbluereggae@yahoo.co.uk</a> regarding filming opportunities and any other queries.  <h2>The Black Routes Tour </h2>Black Routes will tour the best of African and Caribbean music. The network, funded by Arts Council England initially for a two-year period, is a partnership between five organisations – Africa Oyé (based in Liverpool), Centre for Music & Arts Technology – CMAT (Birmingham), Joyful Noise (London), Punch (Birmingham) and Serious (London). The tour will take place from June 2009 to February 2010. A variety of African and Caribbean artists will be taking part.The full website will be launched in June 2009 - <a href="http://www.blackroutes.org.uk/">http://www.blackroutes.org.uk/</a> <h2>The Harder They Come opens in Toronto and Miami </h2><a href="http://www.africaconsortium.co.uk/cms/edit.asp?id=3" onmouseover="MM_swapImage('news','','../images/navigation/news-over.gif',1);" onmouseout="MM_swapImgRestore();"><img src="http://www.africaconsortium.co.uk/images/navigation/news-over.gif" border="0" alt="News" /></a><img src="http://www.ukarts.com/images/db/THTC%20website.jpg" border="1" alt="" width="140" height="120" align="left" />Following its West End run, The Harder They Come kicks off its International tour with a month at the Cannon Theatre in Toronto. The hit musical opens on July 21st and runs to August 23rd.For more information about booking visit: <a href="http://www.mirvish.com" target="_blank">http://www.mirvish.com </a>The show will then go on to the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, opening on August 29th and running until September 13th.For information on booking visit: <a href="http://www.arshtcenter.org/tickets/calendar/view.aspx?id=5571" target="_blank">http://www.arshtcenter.org/tickets/calendar/view.aspx?id=5571 </a>Kerry Michael’s superb production faithfully distils not just the movie’s music and characters, but also, somehow, its soul. – Evening Standard For further details about the company and tour go to: <a href="http://www.ukarts.com/news.asp" target="_blank">http://www.ukarts.com/news.asp</a> <h2>Market Theatre(S.A) and Dodgy Clutch (U.K) co-production of Elephant available to tour </h2><img src="http://www.ukarts.com/images/db/Elephant%20web.jpg" border="1" alt="" width="143" height="102" align="left" />Following the success of the recent UK tour, Elephant is available for UK and international bookings in 2009 and 2010. For further details go to: <a href="http://www.ukarts.com/details.asp?ID=126" target="_blank">http://www.ukarts.com/details.asp?ID=126</a> <h2>Black Arts Alliance </h2> <img src="http://www.blackartists.org.uk/offerflyer.jpg" alt="New Members Offer" width="175" height="250" align="left" /> You could be one of the BAA members invited to enjoy a leisurely evening chatting with a visiting international or national artist oer a three course dinner accompanied by wine. This is just one of the many events that Black Arts Alliance offers to its membersBAA is offering all new members 3 months free subscriptionFor more details about these offers and to download this flyer in .pdf format go to:<a href="http://www.blackartists.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.blackartists.org.uk/</a>    <h2>The Hawth, Crawley is planning 2nd Going Global Project and looking for culturally diverse work </h2>The Hawth (Crawley) is currently putting the finishing touches to its Grants for the Arts application for the second round of their Going Global project, due to showcase high quality culturally diverse work from the UK and beyond between 2010 and 2012. In order to increase its chances of success and allow accurate budget planning, The Hawth would like to invite companies/artists wishing to be included in the programme to tell us about their future projects. The first round of Going Global in 2006-08 was very successful, both in terms of quality of the work presented (96.3% of the surveyed audience said they would recommend this type of work to their friends/families) and in terms of audience development: audience surveys revealed that not only it drew new audiences (up to 12% of the respondents were first time attenders to the venue) but it also attracted a wider cross section of cultural backgrounds and a larger proportion of under 30s. Should you want your project to be considered for inclusion in Going Global 2010-12, please send a brief outline as well as costings to Lelia.Greci@crawley.gov.uk (please note that your email will be rejected if heavier than 250 KB as inbox size limited). Full promoter packs are best sent by post to: Lélia Gréci, Arts & Events Officer, The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6YZ <a href="http://www.hawth.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.hawth.co.uk/</a>We look forward to hearing from you!<h2>IYASA (Zimbabwe) Awards 2009, a great success </h2><img src="http://www.iyasa.net/images/SLICE_IMAG/images/mainbner0908_01.jpg" alt="" width="181" height="178" align="left" />By Lenin Ndebele. CALL it glamour or flamboyancy if you like. IYASA ran a R120 000 bill to host its awards ceremony held simultaneously with the group’s send off gig. The theatre company did a strictly by invitation do for 300 guests that were treated to entertainment, free drinks plus food for those that made the VIP guest list at the Bulawayo Theatre last Saturday. “We spent a lot of money,” is all that the director of the group Nkululeko Dube had to say.Members of IYASA that went away with prizes at the ceremony received gadgets that range from state-of-the-art phones, I pods, television sets, microwaves, fine whiskey and wines.“We honoured our artistes to show that we appreciate the services they contribute to the company. Prizes ranged from phones to electrical appliances. There were also cash prizes that went with the gadgets,” added Dube. About 15 prizes were issued out with prize money. Upon inquiry from the winners the prize money ranged from R500 to R1 500 depending on the category that they won in.The awards ceremony made a ridicule of the National Arts Merit Awards and even the Zimbabwe Music Awards that were abandoned last year because of lack of funds in that not only gongs were presented. The gongs were accompanied by gifts and prize money at the IYASA ceremony. Asked where the money came from when “times are hard” for every facet of the economy especially the entertainment sector where people now have less money to spend judging from the sudden low turnout at gigs where the group performs, Dube gave a clever answer. “We started preparing for this event last year in October when we returned from Europe. We have a lot of friends out there. We have worked with big players in the hotel, banking and manufacturing sector. Most of these guys chipped in with donations to supplement the group’s expenditure. We also have artistes loaned to a German-based theatre company and they are part of the Mama Africa cast, we benefited from their current attachments.” Silethemba Magonya, Siphephiso Magonya and the director’s wife Nomathamsanqa Mkhwananzi have been in Germany since November last year where they have been travelling as part of theatre production Mama Africa.IYASA is currently in Austria. The group is embarking on a six-month tour where they are set to work with Theatre Piccolo an established arts company. <h2>UK Arts moves into the 21st century with their own Facebook page!</h2>UK Arts is now on Facebook... click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31542229217" target="blank">here</a> to visit us. <h2>Assitej South Africa </h2><h3><img src="http://www.acyta.co.za/objects/za_map.gif" border="0" alt="" width="174" height="155" align="left" />Interactive Theatre and Education Catalogue (ITEC): </h3>This project involves the development of an interactive, online resource providing a meeting place between theatre and education. It will facilitate theatre companies in finding a market for high-quality theatre experiences for young people, and provide schools with access to a wide range of innovative, age-appropriate theatre performances for their learners through an interactive web-resource, as well as an annual hardcopy resource, for theatre practitioners and educators. South Africa represented on the Bureau of Assitej International.Assitej South Africa's Chairperson, Yvette Hardie, was elected to the position of Treasurer to the organisation, by the General Assembly at the 16th World Congress of Assitej International in Adelaide, Australia. This is a great opportunity for South Africa and for Africa to have a strong voice in the international community of theatre for young people. The other African candidate elected to the Executive Committee was Hope Azeda (Rwanda) for her second term in office.<h3>Children Of Conflict </h3>Assitej South Africa is participating in a programme called Children of Conflict, which brings together young people from Rwanda, the USA, Kosovo and now South Africa, via the internet. These young people are facilitated in discussions and debates on issues of importance to them, and share their personal experiences with people from other cultures and countries. This web-based interaction will serve as the basis for the creation of theatrical pieces, addressing common issues. <h3>Assitej South Africa seeks funding for the Creative Voices programme </h3>Assitej South Africa are looking for funding to export the Creative voices programme (an integrated arts approach to the creation of original workshopped pieces by children for children) to Rwanda and Swaziland. This would mean that practitioners from these countries would be trained to run Creative Voices in their own environments – a very exciting initiative indeed.<h2>Assitej Swaziland </h2><img src="http://www.acyta.co.za/objects/sw_map.gif" border="0" alt="" width="136" height="176" align="left" />COMMUNITY YOUTH THEATRE PROJECT This is an ongoing national project aimed at reaching out to young people in communities, empowering them with theatrical skills and using these to educate their peers on abuse and HIV/AIDS issues. ASSITEJ Swaziland is implementing the project together with four other theater organizations in the country. The process involves training community-based children and youth groups on theatrical skills and help them come up with dramas on HIV, AIDS and abuse. There is a competition at community level called an Inkhundla constituency where chiefdoms are affiliated, then regional competitions, leading to a national competition. So far 90 groups of children and young people have been reached through the project, which is funded by UNICEF, UNFPA, National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS, and coordinated by the Swaziland National Youth Council under the Ministry of Regional Development and Youth affairs. TV SOAPIE The local TV station is working with SWATCYP to come up with a local TV soapie. SWATCYP has already produced a demo to that effect, which has already received the blessing of the TV station to continue. Many talented young artists will participate in the soapie as actors, actresses and technical crew, depending on their skills and talents. However the challenge is that the station does not have enough money to produce the programme, and it is the responsibility of both SWATCYP and the station to scout for the money to produce the programme. <h2>Theatrical Management Association(TMA) Eclipse award to UK Arts </h2>Jan Ryan of UK Arts International has been awarded The Eclipse Award for her work in presenting and producing culturally diverse work.This award is given to an individual or organisation that has done most to further the aims of the Arts Council England Eclipse Report which addresses the promotion of cultural diversity in the performing arts. This award is supported by Arts Council England. <h1>Salisbury International Festival </h1><h3>Rainbow Choir is subject of a documentary film</h3><img class="right2" src="http://www.salisburyfestival.co.uk/cms/site/events/81ce9778-a975-406f-af07-b6dba886d393.jpg" alt="" align="left" />The Fezeka School Choir are being filmed by Ciel Productions as part of a documentary recording their journey from the Gugulethu Township in South Africa to Salisbury International Arts Festival. This is a film about a man, an extraordinary man, a teacher who has committed his life to bringing music into the lives of his pupils. This is a film about his pupils, their relationships with this father-like figure, their passion for music, their dreams and ambitions. This is a film about modern day South Africa in which blacks are still struggling to find their voice. For more information and to see trailer go to: <a href="http://www.salisburyfestival.co.uk/cms/site/news/fezeka-school-choir.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.salisburyfestival.co.uk/cms/site/news/fezeka-school-choir.aspx</a>