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Introduction to the Northern Arts Festival
Introduction
The Northern Arts Festival will deliver a sixth installment in September 2012. In the last four years, this festival, comparatively speaking in it’s infancy, had become a fixture on calendars not only in the Nelson Mandela Metro, but across the Eastern Cape - art lovers across our country is beginning to notice it. The Northern Arts Festival is different from probably most similar events because it caters for and attracts such a varied fan base that reflects our rainbow community so perfectly. This festival creates a platform for artists and performers that would otherwise not have opportunities to showcase their talents. It further creates short term employment opportunities as well as much needed entertainment, relaxation and clean fun to a people that is starved of such opportunities.Objectives of the Project
To provide career opportunities for young artists i.e. singers, songwriters, actors, visual artists, producers, sound stage and lighting technicians and also management crew.To create a platform for young people to showcase their talents in respect of the performing arts; To provide entertainment to a community of more than 600 000
To develop the Northern Arts Festival into an event on the arts calendar that will be recognized as one of the 10 best in Southern Africa by the end of next year.
To contribute to community building initiatives healthy living as well as to combat crime and substance abuse.
Six important reasons why the project should be funded
Funding of the Northern Arts Festival is a direct investment into a fledgling community that reflects the rainbow nature of our society. The artists, participants, organizers etc. are drawn from all sectors of the community. The Northern Arts Festival is both an event as well as a process. Performances carrying social uplifting messages will be available on an ongoing basis to schools and youth organizations. Agreements will be entered into that will allow for performances to continue for educational purposes.Platform to unearth talent
The Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth do not have an infrastructure i.e. theaters, amphitheaters etc. Budding artists perform on street corners, churches and community halls etc. The Northern Arts festival creates opportunities for budding artists to perform in front of thousands. Establishment of New Community Arts Structures and the Strengthening of Existing Our talented Artists will not flourish unless they are supported and looked after by organizational entities manned by volunteers. Whilst the performers and artists will take centre stage over the five days of the event, the organizers will work on the fringe to bring together these volunteers that will establish new arts committees and strengthen existing ones. The Northern Arts Festival creates networking opportunities that will otherwise not exist.Sharing of Expertise
Although the Northern Arts Festival is still financially dependent on grants and sponsorship, it is already inundated with requests from people wanting to learn from our experience. We hope to become a resource to many more arts enthusiasts to ensure more of our communities get opportunities to participate and enjoy the development of the arts.The Northern Arts Festival – a legacy for Generations to come
It is imperative that Northern Arts Festival be seen, not only as an arts awareness campaign, but also as an integral part of the complete solution that is our vision to create a better society for the future.At the end of the annual Northern Arts Festival, every attempt is made to assist the young people, who have come forward as “emerging artists” in sustaining their “musical talent” and becoming true South African inspirational success-stories, in their own right.
Vision:
The vision of the “Northern Arts Festival” is to create a culturally strong society through the medium of the arts.Mission:
Our mission is to purposely and continuously interact with the community through special events and the development of local talent.Purpose:
To strengthen the gains of our national democratic revolution and to continue to work towards a truly non-racial, non-sexist and united South Africa.Social cohesion
Since its inception the Northern Arts Festival has built a very cohesive society and nurtured our people's culture and in so doing mobilized a more caring society. No crime was reported over the duration of the festival thus far. The Northern Arts Festival has become a national legacy project, we have request from artists locally and as far as Nigeria and the Reunion Islands who has performed at our last event. We shall continue to promote the people's arts within our communities, including local theatre groups, music groups, local cultural forms of expression and creative work including dance, music, oral poetry and literature.Board of Directors
A board of directors oversees the key function of the organization and is responsible for the implementation of policy and direction.Management Team
Our management team has many years of combined experience in marketing, programme development, and other disciplines. We have a professional team of advisors. Good corporate governance and transparency is how we maintain a motivated team.COMMUNITY DRIVEN PROJECT AND SUPPORT:
The entrance to the festival is free of charge to the community at large, including all workshops. No violence or misbehavior was experience during the duration of the previous festivals. This is a sign that the community respect, appreciate and own the eventWe expect a larger crowd of people who will attend the 2012 festival and over 120 dancers and musicians during the four days of intense display of music and language (Oral history). On-going workshops will be conducted by individual presenters in each of the music genres. Over the last four years many young budding artists had been giving various opportunities to very successfully further their careers in the music and arts industry.
Your contribution to the success of NAF 2012 is much appreciated
Billy Paulson
Festival Coordinator