In support of emerging artists and writers, the AAC ran a programme during the Open Studios event.

 

It benefitted two unknown writers and one mid-career one based in this city. In line with previous programmes,  the focus was on emerging artists and engaging their work and the entities that support them.  In line with this, it supported Meta Foundation’s Open Studios event  – the largest of its kind in South Africa that invites the public to peruse artist studios at nine different locations – Bag Factory Artists’ Studios, Lilian Road Studios, Play Braamfontein, Transwerke, Asisebenze, August House, Ellis House, Living Artists Emporium and Victoria Yards. The participating writers profiled some of the artists and their works and reflected on the programme. 

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Chloë Reid, Mamelodi Karakala and Tsholofelo Seleke were selected to participate in this programme in May and June of 2023.  

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The programme was funded by the Spier Arts Trust and supported by Daily Maverick, News 24 Books, Wanted Online, The Saturday Star and Latitudes Online. 

The Church Street art node has become one of the ideal destinations in Cape Town to explore the work of emerging artists. 99 Loop, Church Projects, Eclectica Contemporary, Worldart, Nel and AVA galleries all cater for artists at this level. AAC is focussed on supporting organisations that are geared for artists who have yet to be recognised. As such this seemed the ideal location in this city for writers to focus their gaze. 

 

As the AVA has set this character, through its support of entry-level and mid-career artists and has served as an anchor for the development of this city art node, it functioned as a base for the writers. With an active exhibition programme, the AVA is the ideal venue for the writers to find inspiration.

A writer's workshop was held at the AVA and much of the writing was focussed on the exhibitions that took place at this venue. 

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Nkgopoleng Moloi and Voni Baloyi participated in this programme from April to July in 2023. 

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The programme was funded by the Spier Arts Trust and supported by Daily Maverick,  Wanted Online, The Mail & Guardian. 

Celebrating the work of an established art writer and drawing attention to the valuable role engaged critique in the public realm has on the development of art and artists was one of the objectives of this residency.

 

It took place at August House, a landmark building in Joburg that houses over 40 artist studios. Here the writer was afforded a desk, WIFI and a quiet space in this Doornfontein building.

 

The residency was timed to coincide with the Open Studios event at August House in October 2022, which encourages members of the public to peruse the studios and engage with the artists.

 

The writer had complete creative freedom in terms of choosing which artists’ they would like to engage with and features they would like to produce during their residency.

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Kwanele Sosibo was the recipient of this residency in 2022. 

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The programme was funded by the Spier Arts Trust and supported by Daily Maverick and Wanted Online. 

The intention with the pilot project was to settle on a model for arts journalism based on the non-profit journalism hubs such as Health-enews and Amabhungane – two independent newsrooms that are funded due to the necessity of high quality journalism in the area of health and investigations respectively.

 

As with these two virtual newsrooms AAC offered the media the use of non-exclusive stories, features, reviews and interviews on artworks, exhibitions.  As such local and international news, arts and other online or print publications and portals could have access to good quality articles. No such service exists and given there are few commissions or opportunities for art writers this would be essential in sustain art writers who are struggling to exist.  Media houses and small platforms do not have the resources to commission articles and do not have experienced or qualified art journalists on their teams anymore, so this service could fulfil the needs of many sectors.  

 

The main objective is to create paid work for arts writers, while at the same time drawing attention to and promoting the work of artists, which would have substantial economic spinoff for them too. New arts ventures, and independent artists with no private or institutional support would be a focus of the writing. In this way we would work at promoting other arts start-ups and artists without the resources for PR etc. 

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Sandiso Ngubane, Nolan Stevens and Mary Corrigall benefitted from the programme, which was funded by the National Arts Council in South Africa. Media partners included Daily Maverick, Mail & Guardian, Latitudes Online, Visi, Artskop & Nataal.