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Newtown - Centre of Arts Training Excellence

Moving into Dance Mophatong
Moving into Dance Mophatong (MIDM) is fully accredited by the Advertising, Printing, Packaging and Publishing Education and Training Authority (MAPPP SETA) as a dance skills training provider. The Performing Arts Training Course is based on selected unit standards from the National Certificate in Performing Arts (NQF Level 4), which MIDM implemented between 2005 and 2007.

This is premised upon a near two-decade history of the Community Dance Teachers Training Course (CDTTC) that was recognised in South Africa as an established training programme for community dance teachers.

Since its inception in 1992, over 300 CDTTC graduates have progressed into a variety of fields and the core of the MIDM’s Performance Company is comprised of graduates. Others have become professional, independent performers and choreographers whose work is in great demand in Europe, America, Africa and Asia.

Last year Nkosinathi Chamo, a student from Vereeniging trained with us and won the City of Johannesburg bursary in 2008. He then used the bursary to further his arts administration skills in order to develop his dance company. The result of this was that he now secured a 3-year contract to perform in the Netherlands. He also hosts his own dance festival in Vereeniging.

The Performing Arts Training Course is a full-time theoretical and practical NQF Level 4 course for post-matriculants, who are recruited through a rigorous process of auditions and interviews. It provides the basis for the knowledge, skills and values necessary in the performing arts industry in order for learners to become competent and professional practitioners of the performing arts.

The aim of the Performing Arts Training Course is to produce qualified, professional performing artists who will contribute to the South African Performing Arts Industry in creative and meaningful ways. It will equip qualifying learners with basic competencies in the performing arts in order to work successfully as dancers, choreographers and administrators. MIDM prides itself on grooming dances that can think and thinkers that can dance.

Learning areas covered at Moving Into Dance Mophatong include: Afro-fusion, contemporary and African Dance, research and dance teaching, choreography & edu-dance, career planning and tools, and basic computer literacy.

Market Photo Workshop
The Market Photo Workshop is a school of photography, photographic resource centre and gallery. The workshop strives to create an environment where students learn not only the technical and conceptual aspects of photography, but also ways of critical thinking integral to the understanding of contemporary photographic practice.

The Market Photo Workshop is a division of the Market Theatre Foundation, and was begun in the eighties by photographer David Goldblatt.

The Photo Workshop offers a number of courses each year. Six Foundation Courses and three Intermediate Courses are run annually. These are short courses.

One Advanced Programme, and one Photojournalism and Documentary Photography programme is also run annually; each of these are year-long programmes. By the end of these courses, students are equipped with the skill to create their own portfolios, exhibitions or publications.

The Photo Workshop also offers bursaries to financially disadvantaged students, and also provides all the photographic equipment required to study a course.

Practicing photographers and past students can also become members of the Photo Workshop. Members are allowed to make use of the facilities and rent equipment.

The Photo Workshop Gallery runs a number of exhibitions every year. These are often exhibitions by alumni of the Market Photo Workshop. Alumni include Jodi Bieber (seven times World Press Winner), other World Press winners like Themba Hadebe, and Sydney Seshibedi; and internationally acclaimed photographers such as Nontsikelelo Veleko and Zanele Muholi.

City Varsity
City Varsity was established in 2006 on Gwi Gwi Mrwebi Street, near the old Carfax premises. The campus has expanded each year to accommodate the growing number of students. About 40 students graduated in 2007; in 2008 there were about 110 graduates.

A comprehensive mix of media and creative arts educational programs, accredited by the Council on Higher Education, are offered. A full-time 2 year diploma can be completed by students, with the option of a third year advanced diploma. The diploma is recognised both locally and internationally.

Programmes are offered in filmmaking, professional acting, animation, multimedia design, motion picture production design, professional photography, sound engineering, motion picture make-up and journalism. The emphasis is on practical skills, and a portfolio is built up which enables students to obtain work easily after graduating.

Professional practitioners from the media and creative arts industries help shape the curriculum, and experts such as actor/director Grant Swanby and stunt director Sensei Thulani Ndlovu are engaged as guest lecturers to pass on their industry experience directly to students.

CityVarsity Jo’burg has ongoing partnerships with Cool Apple Buddies, Network BBDO, Sound & Motion Studios, and other hip, youthful brands. These connections enhance the student experience significantly.
Students enjoy round-the-clock access to the main campus and student resource centre, and the high-tech equipment and facilities meet industry recognised standards.

City Varsity has enjoyed many success stories in its short career. At the 2008 Printing Craftsman’s Association Menu Design Competition, third year multimedia design students outshone all other design students, where they took 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize - for the second year running. Students have also won prizes for Loerie Awards and Multi-choice Booker awards.

Visit the website www.cityvarsity.co.za, and speak to Oyama Dyosiba on 074 681 0885 or 011 634 9840.

Market Laboratory
The Laboratory was started in 1989 by Barney Simon and John Kani. It is the training and development wing of the Market Theatre. In 1991 the Drama School component of the programme began due to a demand coming from disadvantaged youth who could neither afford nor qualify for formal University/ Technicon instruction.

So far it has been a two-year full time course graduating between 18 and 20 people every two years. As of next year we will be running a first and second year concurrently – graduating between 12 and 14 people every year.

The classes are facilitated by working professionals and the programme is accredited toward certification by the MAPPPSETA. The Laboratory operates on a multi – disciplinary basis. The course includes acting and contemporary performance, directing, improvisation, writing, design and stage management, production management, singing, and voice and movement.

Graduates from the Lab include: Kenneth Nkosi (White Wedding and Tsotsi), Mncedisi Shabangu ( Tshepang and Ten Bush - as Director), Omphile Molusi (Itsoseng - as writer and performer), Warren Masemola (Scandal), Tau Maseramule (The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency), Mpho Molepo ( Heartlines and 90 Plein Street), Millicent Makhado (Muvhango) and Thami Baleka (Zone 14).

A number of graduates also work as Stage Managers at the Market, as well as at other theatres and on international stages. In 2005 The Lab was the Arts and Culture Trust Arts Education Project of the Year.

Artist Proof Studio
Founded in 1991 by Kim Berman and Nhlanhla Xaba, Artist Proof Studio (APS) was established as an art centre that promotes democratic values of reconciliation, cultural diversity, equality, and above all, a culture that celebrates human rights.

APS focuses on printmaking, including lithography, etching, drypoint, silk-screening and mixed media. Each year APS trains between 80 and 100 learners from disadvantaged backgrounds to become professional artists and well-rounded citizens who make a difference in their communities.

APS trains approximately 80 students each year. Intake is based on talent and aspiration for professional achievement, and we are able to provide subsidies for the majority of the student body who come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. The three-year printmaking programme is widely respected in the arts community. The first-year programme is accredited and funded by the MAPPP-SETA. The second and third-years are funded through the support of corporate patrons and other programme funding.

APS provides an alternative or a precursor to formal visual arts courses at tertiary institutions. Students achieve high standards of professional practice, work place learning and art industry placements.

The components of this programme have been developed over the years according to the needs of students and of the art industry. The first-year Design Foundation Training in Printmaking and Drawing is accredited by SAQA in terms of the National Qualifications Framework at Level 4. Learners can exit the programme after the first year, or can continue on to the second year.

Learners are also provided with opportunities to exhibit their artwork at the APS Gallery and elsewhere (e.g. at exhibitions and functions hosted by their corporate patrons), giving them experience of preparing for and installing an exhibition. Second-year students are required to complete an independent printing project, from planning through implementation. This activity builds their confidence and initiative.

An additional Professional Development third-year programme is available for those learners who have excelled in their two-year printmaking training and who wish to gain workplace experience in their chosen specialist field.

The part-time Saturday Youth Portfolio Development Programme arose from the need to offer visual arts training to young artists unable to access arts training through their schools. While still offering this service, the programme also provides a bridging year to aspiring artists who need further exposure to the art world prior to joining either the APS full-time training or entering other tertiary institutions.

Dance Factory Youth Training Programme
The Dance Factory is a non-profit company established in 1992, to create a centre where dancers, teachers, and choreographers from the townships and suburbs could work together.

From inception, The Dance Factory has run classes for children. These began as Saturday morning sessions in creative movement. In 1997, at the request of several leaders of township-based groups, it began to offer a more formalised, focused and intensive programme, which included French floor barre and contemporary dance technique.

From 2002, The Dance Factory Youth Training Programme moved from working with existing community youth groups and began training individuals. Annual auditions were established, as a means of unearthing talent. The criteria for selection are coordination, flexibility, athleticism and innate artistry; children need no prior training. The Dance Factory does not charge fees and assists children in need, with money for transport.

The Dance Factory Youth Training Programme is an ‘in-reach’ rather than an outreach project because:

• The mission of The Dance Factory is to establish a centre.
• The Dance Factory is a well equipped and maintained, dance –specific space, with mirrors, barres, a sprung floor, ballet mats and piano.
• At The Dance Factory, management is able to monitor not only the children (their regular attendance and individual progress) but also the teachers. This is important as sometimes adjustments need to be made, or the methodology of the teachers interrogated.
• The Training Programme takes place within the environment of a working theatre. Children are thus exposed to performances by a range of choreographers and companies throughout the year.

The programme was previously supported by the Royal Netherlands Embassy, and the National Lottery Distribution Fund. At present, the programme is without subsidy and is being supported by through funds derived from venue hire.

Achievers from this programme are Phindile Kula, Refiloe Mogojoe and Nkosinathi Sangweni – now all members of Jazzart Dance Theatre; Tshepo Zasekhaya in Grade11 at the National School of the Arts (with funding form The Dance Factory); Shereen Mathebula - a new member of the South African Ballet Theatre; Nicholas Aphane, in his third year of studies at the Performing Arts Research and Training Studios in Brussels; and Dada Masilo, the recipient of the 2008 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Dance and at 24, established as a formidable talent, both as dancer and as choreographer.

At present, The Dance Factory is involved in the training of 40 youngsters between the ages of 4 and 16. The vast majority are under the age of 12. Group 1 focus on training in basic Contemporary Technique. Group 2, 3 and 4 receive classes in Contemporary Technique from Dada Masilo, as well as Floor Barre from the legendary Dianne Richards. In addition, Group 4 also takes Ballet class with Andrew Gilder. This class is often attended by professional dancers.

The Dance Factory does not offer classes for adult beginners. The daily class from Mondays to Fridays at 10am, is however open to professional dancers, free of charge. Most weeks, the class is given by Dada Masilo, now Artist-in-Residence at The Dance Factory.