Artscape Theatre Centre

Artscape Theatre Centre (often referred to as Artscape Theatre Complex or simply Artscape) is a multifunctional creative arts centre on Cape Town's foreshore, with theatres, venue facilities and specialist theatrical services. Formerly Nico Malan Theatre Centre, renamed in 2001.

The organisation that manages the centre is also referred to as Artscape.

For information on the complex's history pre-2001, see Nico Malan Theatre Centre.

Artscape

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.

The Artscape Theatre Centre

In line with the new South African political dispensation and the concurrent changes, the old Nico Malan Theatre Centre was also renamed as Artscape Theatre Centre in March 2001.

Today Artscape manages the theatre venues of the Artscape Theatre Centre (sometimes called the Artscape Theatre Complex by journalists and writers) and provides essential technical and specialised services on a semi-commercial basis. The emphasis is on sustainable theatre practice, education and development.

For information on the theatre centre pre-2001, see Nico Malan Theatre Centre.

Departments and Programmes

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)

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.