Sibikwa Arts Centre

Sibikwa Arts Centre is an arts centre located at 13 Liverpool Park, Corner Liverpool and Bolton Roads, Benoni.

Also referred to as the Sibikwa Centre for the Arts.

Sibikwa takes pride in uku’bikwa: the act of pronouncing, announcing and presenting on the world stage, the in-born talents of individuals...as custodians of his-story and her-story.

History

Sibikwa was created in 1988 as a result of a group of Daveyton, East Rand parents voicing their concerns about their childrens' poor attendance at school, lack of focus, the low level of education, the increasing violence and the lack of amenities in the townships. As a result Sibikwa Community Theatre Project was launched by Smal Ndaba and Phyllis Klotz to provide these children with a focus and hope for the future.

Their involvement in theatre began with So Where To? which toured extensively throughout Southern Africa and festivals abroad.

In 1991, Sibikwa moved to it's present location in Liverpool Park, Benoni. The Liverpool Park Complex is a government building managed by the Provincial Department of Public Works. The Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture (Gauteng) has identified Sibikwa as a Centre of Excellence. The centre is home to a Professional Dance Company, an African Indigenous Orchestra, and an ad hoc Professional Theatre Company.

Through its history, Sibikwa has produced and directed leading, award-wining and cutting-edge productions to audiences not only in South Africa but all over the world. Three of the Sibikwa Plays have been published by Heinemann and are on the prescribed list for grade 11 learners.

Purpose

The purpose of the Sibikwa Arts Centre is to advance:

the talents of South African children and youth through inclusive arts education programmes

the cultural landscape with performances that entertain, educate and enlighten audiences

South African stories on the global stage, in corporate environments and in educational spaces

skills development and job creation through accredited vocational training programmes

creative talents for people with an interest in arts approaches to career development

local contexts by advocating for and democratizing access to arts and culture

Sibikwa Arts Centre is accredited with The Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) and South African Council for Educators (SACE).

Facilities

The Centre has Sibikwa Arts Centre has 5 studio spaces that can be hired for workshops, meetings, rehearsals or conference break-away rooms; a spacious Dance Studio; Administration Offices; Media Resource Centre; and a Library.

It also has two performance spaces:

The Sibikwa Theatre (capacity 200)
The Gazatta (a performance/workshop space, capacity 150)

Management and Staff

The Sibikwa Arts Centre team is: Caryn Green (CEO), Keabetswe Galawe (Finance Administrator), Ntombizivumile Qupe (Education Projects Manager), Thapelo Kotlolo (CATHSSETA Training Coordinator), Sipho Michael Mabena (Office Administrator), Kelly Storom (Entrepreneurship, Culture And Democracy Projects Manager), Smal Ndaba and Phyllis Klotz (Co-Founders and Consultants). Board Of Directors : Rick Edmonds, Mologadi Kekana, Pamela Grayman (Chair) and Zwelakhe Gumede.

Members of staff have included Cherice Mangiagalli (Dance company artistic director) and Neo Leleka (African Indigenous Orchestra Musical Director).

Functions

Sibikwa Arts Academy

Unique in Gauteng, our well-equipped, multi-disciplinary and vibrant Sibikwa Arts Academy offers learners aged 6 to 24 years’ classes in dance, drama, drumming, marimba, recorder, visual arts and reading. Also providing experiential training in leadership, life skills and interpersonal skills, the Sibikwa Arts Academy affords young people a strong platform to enhance their confidence, improve academic performance and develop careers.

Artists In Schools Programme

Our Artists In Schools programme builds the capacity of creatives to work as artists-in-residence in schools across Gauteng. Working alongside Creative Arts teachers to enhance the delivery of the CAPS curriculum, our Artists In Schools programme supports the advancement of arts education in schools. This programme is dependent on available project funds.

Dipadi Holiday Programme

Working intensively with budding young actors, during the July school holidays, our Dipadi – show on – aims to enhance the artistic creativity, confidence and communication skills of school-going learners in Grades 6 – 10. This week programme, which takes place at a camp site in/around Gauteng, includes outdoor activities and theatre sports, with a focus on physical and mental wellbeing.