Minister Mthethwa launches award-winning Market Square in Newtown
JOHANNESBURG – Investing in developing the arts in Joburg.
The Market Theatre precinct remains at the forefront of producing and presenting cutting-edge work that has an authentic African artistic voice.
This according to Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, speaking at the official launch of the new state-of-the-art building, Market Square, on 28 March.
Mthethwa said the precinct is inclusive of the rich tapestry of African diversity. He said with a subsidy from the Department of Arts and Culture, the 42-year old institution has been able to enliven the Newtown cultural feel.
Mthethwa said this new building, which is adjacent to the famous Market Theatre, houses a new Market Theatre Laboratory that offers acting classes to aspiring actors, the Market Photo Workshop and the Market Theatre Foundation’s administrative headquarters.
Kwanele Gumbi, chairman of the council of the Market Theatre Foundation, said they create the future at the Market Theatre. “We cement the careers of artists and present work of international acclaim. The Market Square building is a campus where we can sculpture [sic] the future of the young people and safeguard the legacy of the old,” said Gumbi.
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“For some, they see a building, and for us, we see a platform and a stage for continuous improvement in the arts.”
Mthethwa commended the Market Theatre managers for giving new impetus to the inner-city of Johannesburg.
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KMH Architects, the designers of the building, were also in attendance and showed off the new international award they received at an award ceremony in London recently. The company was awarded for designing the best performing arts space last year.
Barney Simon and Mannie Mannim are the two people who established the Market Theatre to celebrate and promote the best in international architecture for performing arts venues. “The 42-year-old Market Theatre is a proud legacy to its founding fathers, Simon and Mannim.
“The Market Square will be a continuation of that legacy and it will be a reminder of the vision of those who took the baton from the founding fathers of the Market Theatre”, said Ismail Mahomed, the chief executive officer of the Market Theatre Foundation.
Details: lusandaz@markettheatre.co.za
