Artscape Landelike uitreik
Artscape se Landelike uitreik-inisiatief, aangebied in vennootskap met die Suidoosterfees, het ten doel om hoëgehalte- uitvoerende kunste na plattelandse gemeenskappe te bring. Dit skep geleenthede vir kulturele verryking en vier plaaslike talent deur die teater na die mense toe te neem.
In 2025 is die inisiatief op 15 en 16 Oktober in die Burgersaal op Riversdal aangebied in samewerking met die Hessequa Jeugfees, die Hessequa Munisipaliteit en die Wes-Kaapse Onderwysdepartement (WKOD).
Die ankerpunt van die projek was die produksie Kunstetreffers, ’n veelvlakkige vertoning wat die ryk verskeidenheid van Suid-Afrikaanse uitvoerende kunste gevier het. Die program het ballet, Afrika-kontemporêre dans, opera, klassieke en kontemporêre musiek saamgesnoer en aan gehore ’n inspirerende en toeganklike kunservaring gebied.
Die produksie het talent van regoor die Wes-Kaap byeengebring, met optredes deur onder andere Unmute, Dance for All, Cape Ballet Africa, Lynelle Kenned, Arline Jaftha, Janna Khweis, Ashlin Grobbelaar, Jovann Rocher, Josua Pieterse, JP Pieterse, Hakkiesdraad Hartman, die RCC Band, die Riversdal Uitvoerende Kunste-koor en The Empower Drumming Academy. Die produksie is vervaardig deur Artscape se uitvoerende hoof, Marlene le Roux, met Stefan Lombard as musikale direkteur en Elvis Sibeko as artistieke choreograaf.
Benewens die verhoogaanbiedinge het die projek ’n sterk opvoedkundige komponent ingesluit. Leerders van plaaslike hoërskole het ná hul oggendvertoning ’n Loopbaandag bygewoon waar hulle blootstelling gekry het aan die uiteenlopende beroepsmoontlikhede binne die kreatiewe bedryf. Artscape se tegniese span het onder meer inligting gedeel oor loopbane in klank, beligting, verhoogbestuur en ander agter-die-skerms-funksies wat noodsaaklik is vir die sukses van professionele produksies. Hierdie sessies het jongmense aangemoedig om die uitvoerende kunste as ’n realistiese loopbaanopsie te oorweeg.
Vier gratis vertonings is oor die twee dae aangebied, waaronder spesiale opvoerings vir laerskole en hoërskole, asook ’n gala-opvoering vir die breër gemeenskap. Deur alle vertonings gratis aan te bied, is toegang tot professionele uitvoerende kunste aansienlik verbreed en is leerders en gemeenskapslede wat selde die geleentheid kry om sulke produksies te beleef, bereik.
Die Artscape Landelike Uitreik weerspieël die gedeelde verbintenis van Artscape en die Suidoosterfees om toegang tot die kunste te demokratiseer, talent in landelike gemeenskappe te ontwikkel en sosiale samehorigheid deur kultuur te bevorder. Die projek bied nie slegs vermaak nie, maar inspireer ook jong mense om hul kreatiewe potensiaal te ontdek en dra by tot die ontwikkeling van die volgende geslag kunstenaars, tegnici en kultuurleiers in die Wes-Kaap.
Artscape Rural Outreach
Artscape’s Rural Outreach initiative, presented in partnership with the Suidoosterfees, aims to bring high-quality performing arts to rural communities. By taking theatre directly to the people, the initiative creates opportunities for cultural enrichment while celebrating local talent.
In 2025, the project took place on 15 and 16 October 2025 at the Riversdale Civic Hall in collaboration with the Hessequa Youth Festival, the Hessequa Municipality and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
The centrepiece of the initiative was Kunstetreffers, a multidisciplinary production celebrating the richness and diversity of South African performing arts. The programme combined ballet, African contemporary dance, opera, classical music and contemporary music to offer audiences an inspiring and accessible artistic experience.
The production brought together performers from across the Western Cape, featuring artists and groups including Unmute, Dance for All, Cape Ballet Africa, Lynelle Kenned, Arline Jaftha, Janna Khweis, Ashlin Grobbelaar, Jovann Rocher, Josua Pieterse, JP Pieterse, Hakkiesdraad Hartman, the RCC Band, the Riversdale Performing Arts Choir and The Empower Drumming Academy. The production was produced by Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux, with Stefan Lombard serving as musical director and Elvis Sibeko as artistic choreographer.
In addition to the stage performances, the project incorporated a strong educational component. Following the morning performances, learners from local high schools attended a Career Day, where they were introduced to the wide range of career opportunities available within the creative industries. Members of Artscape’s technical team shared insights into professions such as sound engineering, lighting, stage management and other behind-the-scenes roles that are essential to the success of professional productions. These sessions encouraged young people to view the performing arts as a realistic and rewarding career path.
Four free performances were presented over the two days, including dedicated performances for primary and secondary school learners, as well as a gala performance for the broader community. By offering all performances free of charge, the initiative significantly broadened access to professional performing arts and reached learners and community members who seldom have the opportunity to experience productions of this calibre.
Artscape Rural Outreach reflects the shared commitment of Artscape and the Suidoosterfees to democratising access to the arts, nurturing talent in rural communities and promoting social cohesion through culture. Beyond providing high-quality entertainment, the initiative inspires young people to discover their creative potential and contributes to developing the next generation of artists, technicians and cultural leaders in the Western Cape.