The City of Ekurhuleni Cultural Affairs Division, in partnership with Gauteng Art for Public Schools (GAPS), hosted a workshop for aspiring young artists across Ekurhuleni on March 20 at the Springs Library.
The workshop served as a guideline to help artists apply for the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship programme, sponsored by the trust.
Speaking to the African Reporter, one attendee, Luvuno Shongwe from Daveyton, said attending the workshop helped him understand the application criteria of the programme.
Shongwe, who is from Swaziland and in Grade 11, said he is looking for a scholarship that caters to his situation.
As a young visual artist from the East Rand School of Art, he explained that the workshop taught him he should submit two of his best works when applying.
Arts and Culture Trust programme coordinator Angelinah Kemane. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
“I learnt what the scholarship covers and what is needed from me as the applicant. Scholarships like this help young artists because we are not from the same background,” said Shongwe.
“We also need support from the communities that we are from, and for them to show interest in what we create.”
GAPS’ founding director, Nyeleti Majuba, told the publication that they realised many applicants do not submit their best work, which is why the workshop was held to advise them about their applications. She explained that the scholarship provides an opportunity for artists to further their studies in art.
The programme has a two-step application process: 60 applicants attend industry-related workshops, where they are assigned a mentor from their field.
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After that, the top 15 are chosen for the scholarship, which covers registration, tuition, and book fees.
“Some of the challenges we often see from applicants are terminology issues in the submissions. For example, some do not know the difference between landscape and portrait, even though they have amazing talent in their portfolios,” said Majuba.
“It is important for these young artists to have a mentor because art is so broad and most of the work is practical.
“Having a mentor who has been in the industry allows knowledge to be passed on to the young ones. We also want to create a safe space for them,” she added.
Majuba concluded by advising young artists who are pursuing a career in art to use their talent, put in the work, and always remain disciplined.
Gauteng Art for Public Schools’s founding director speaking during the workshop. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
Luvuno Shongwe and Mpho Moloi from the East Rand School of Arts. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
Attendees of the workshop by the Arts and Culture Trust and Gauteng Art for Public Schools. Photo: Zamokuhle Ndawonde
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