Local programme aims to empower artists
Young artists were recruited from Inanda, Ntuzuma, uMlazi and KwaMashu where they were enrolled on a three-month programme which will help them generate revenue from their beautiful artwork.
MZANSI Arts Development Ensemble (MADE), a CATHSSETA-accredited programme, led by Lerato Molemong, has launched a visual art programme supported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) and the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP4).
The organisation’s goal is to create employment and turn visual artists’ work into business opportunities. The project titled ‘Arts working for artists’ was launched in response to the need to uplift young visual artists from previously disadvantaged communities.
The programme recruited young artists from places such as Inanda, Ntuzuma, Umlazi and KwaMashu.
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According to Molemong, this project will also help integrate creatives and market and promote the products online so that artists can earn income for sustainability purposes.
“This programme will fill the gap and provide jobs for many artists who already have a strong track record of producing artwork and have produced a significant amount of artwork over the years but lack the market and visibility to sell it,” said Molemong.
Molemong said this project is a much-needed intervention to assist our government in the call for job creation.
“Artists meet for training at a central location in Durban Central, and this training takes a period of three months, thereafter allowing artists to be self-sustainable going forward.
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“Additionally, the programme provides artists with the opportunity to share their skills and work together as a team to improve the quality of the artwork produced,” said Molemong.
“This project is the solution for KZN artists to thrive, have a steady source of income and collaborate on creating market-ready art,” said Lucky Cele, the creative director for MADE.
All the artworks the young artists produced throughout the programme will be sold at the store and online on the MADE website https://www.mzansiartsdevelopment.org/
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