| Arts award finalists named |
|
|
|
| Written by Lesego Madumo | |
| Monday, 18 August 2008 | |
|
Joburg has come up six times in the list of finalists in the Arts and Culture Trust Awards. Winners will be announced in September.  Sowetan graphic designer, Reggie Legoale Creative FINALISTS in the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT) Awards have been announced - and there are several Joburgers among them. Bernard Jay, the chief executive officer of the Johannesburg Civic Theatre; Daphne Kuhn, the owner and producer of the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Sandton; Moving Into Dance Mophatong, the dance company; Reggie Legoale Creative, a Sowetan graphic designer; Joburg-based Artslink.co.za, South Africa's largest arts and culture website; and Joburg-based magazine Applause, are among the finalists. There are 13 finalists in all, including artists, arts companies and theatre productions. This is the 10th consecutive year of the awards, which are held to acknowledge and to encourage creativity through supporting arts, culture and heritage projects. The finalists were announced by the awards patrons - commercial bank Nedbank, ClassicFeel Magazine and Cape Town's Fine Music Radio 101.3 - in Sandton on Thursday, 14 August. The winners will be announced on 18 September. They will be adjudicated by well-known local arts personalities: Brenda Radloff Devar, the actress, singer and writer; Abigail Kubeka, the musician and theatre doyenne; George Mxadana, the musical director and conductor; Jayesperi Moopen, the artist and director; Mandla Motau, the journalist; and Welcome Msomi, the playwright, choreographer and director. Held annually since 1998, the ACT awards are aimed at promoting artists and cultural heritage practitioners and their work; enhancing arts, cultural and heritage education; constructing arts and culture facilities; and supporting the country's arts and culture sector. Excellence There are five categories, including arts management, arts media, arts education, cultural development, and creative industries. Winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at Nedbank in Sandton, on 18 September. The finalists were chosen from a truly dynamic list of nominations submitted by the public, Devar noted. They included ARTCHA, SABC2's premier arts and culture magazine programme; the Sibikwa Community Project; and Gumbo, South Africa's first full-length deaf and hearing production. A finalist in the creative industries category, Legoale - who is from Soweto's Dobsonville - is a self-taught web designer. He was confident that his work spoke volumes and "it's all left to the judges to decide where the award goes". Contributions  Joburg dance company, Moving Into Dance Maphatong Categories were changed every year, the organisers said, to reflect a more contemporary and relevant arts and culture industry. Kutlwano Masote, the chairperson of the ACT, pointed out that the awards had grown enormously since they were first held 10 years ago. "We have worked hard to ensure that we sustain a great and vibrant arts and culture scene in this country." Through the awards, the trust aimed to "honour people who contribute to the arts and culture scene, and to showcase the best talent that this country has to offer". They were designed to promote indigenous aesthetic work. Three lifetime achievement awards will be made on the big night. Previous winners who have contributed significantly to visual arts or craft, music or dance, the theatre or literature, include Es'kia Mphahlele, Ronnie Govender and Sophie Mgcina. "Nedbank is very proud to be part of the tenth annual ACT awards," said Tom Boardman, the chief executive of the Nedbank group. "Through this great achievement, Nedbank remains committed to arts and culture development, promotion and preservation within South Africa." Related stories: |
