Artscape

Artscape is an arts management organisation that manages Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town. The organisation replaced the former Cape Performing Arts Board. The centre is also often simply referred to as Artscape.

For more information on the theatre centre, see Artscape Theatre Centre.

History

From 1994, and in line with the new South African political dispensation, government arts policy changed dramatically. The performing arts boards (CAPAB, PACT, NAPAC, PACOFS) were transformed to playhouses and the various arts companies (Drama, Opera, Ballet, Orchestra) had to become independent.

Historically the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) was instituted in the early sixties of the twentieth century to promote the performing arts in the Cape Province. The arts councils received sufficient government subsidies to fund various art forms as well as the operational requirements of the theatre facilities. CAPAB toured the province and programmed and managed the Nico Malan Theatre Centre as a production house with four arts companies – orchestra, opera, ballet and drama. These companies had full-time artistes, technical and administrative staff.

Because of the immense political baggage carried by the CAPAB, and more especially the Nico Malan Theatre Centre (which had opened - to loud protest - in 1971 "for whites only" and had long been boycotted), the decision was made to change the name of the complex and its managing company. Artscape was subsequently launched on 27 March 1999 to replace the Cape Performing Arts Board.

Today Artscape manages the theatre venues and provides essential technical and specialised services on a semi-commercial basis. The emphasis is on sustainable theatre practice, education and development.

Artscape remains as an agency of the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, while the building itself is the property of the Western Cape Government.

For information on the early years (1963-1999), see Cape Performing Arts Board.

Departments and Programmes

Various departments and programmes over the years have included:

Artscape Indigenous Arts Department

Established in 2007, it aims to develop, mentor and preserve South African indigenous customs through the arts . With this comes the responsibility to affirm, by providing platforms for art forms, cultures and languages that have been previously marginalised. And all the while, artistic excellence remains at the core of development. Productions include Children of the Mist (2010).

For more information, see Artscape Indigenous Arts Department.

Artscape New Writing Programme

A programme that supports new and established playwrights on an annual basis through a range of activities including workshops, stage readings and full scale productions. Originally launched by Roy Sargeant in 2005 to present new plays by both new and established playwrights. It is a support programme which accepts unsolicited manuscripts for evaluation, runs Playwriting Workshops and provides editorial support for writers. It has produced numerous successful plays, staged readings and showcases over the years.

For more information, see Artscape New Writing Programme.

Artscape Resource Centre

Artscape Resource Centre (A.R.C) coordinate efforts aimed at providing much needed support and resources for creative practitioners. It is a creative hub that disseminate industry related information to creative practitioners. The space provides a Business to Business( B2B) platform for creative practitioners to network amongst themselves. The Resource Centre offers administrative support through a computer lab, facilities, consultations and capacity building. The Resource Centre is part of Artscape’s Inclusive Arts Unit.

Services:

• Internet and Personal Computer facilities
• Arts Administration Training
• Information Dissemination
• Networking Forums
• Consultations
• Venue Bookings (Common Room, Meeting Room, Exhibition Space)
• Reading Corner
• Art Library

Sources

http://www.artscape.co.za/

https://www.artscape.co.za/history/

https://www.artscape.co.za/celebrating-50-years-from-nico-to-artscape-in-grand-style/

https://iol.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/2010-08-31-celebrating-griqua-culture-through-dance/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/18015446686/

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page