Over the past 17 years, The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT),
has supported young talent in the arts and honoured those who have
significantly contributed to the industry. For their 20th Anniversary, the ACT
Awards are setting the stage to pay homage to both legacies and legends alike.
The ACT Awards have recognised over130 individuals and
organisations for their significant contribution to art, culture and heritage
in South Africa. These awards show the sustainable impact ACT pursues in the
creative industry. For the fourth year, ACT and Distell Foundation will award
four young professionals or groups who have made an impact during the first
five years of their careers.
Among the finalists is Fortune Bengu, a visual arts
coordinator at The Bat Centre in Durban. He recently finished his degree in
Fine Art at the Durban University of Technology, majoring in Art Theory and
Printmaking. He has exhibited in various group shows locally and abroad. His
recent participation in an exhibition was in 2013 at the Imago Mundi: The Art of Humanity exhibition. Bengu has helped a
number of artists such as Wonder Mbambo and Mhlonishwa Chiliza launch their
careers, as well as other emerging artists in Durban. He also recently launched
an initiative at the Bat Centre which seeks to aid older artists who may have
given up on their talent.
Irma Albers from Distell Foundation says “We are proud to be
involved with the ACT Awards. By investing in emerging talent particularly
through the ImpACT Awards, we hope to play an important role in raising
standards and spreading interest and appreciation for newcomers in the South
African creative arts industry, locally and abroad. Congratulations to all the
participants and winners - we wish you all a bright future, as you establish
yourself as key role players in building the economy of our country.”
ImpACT Awards are given annually to honour young artists
that have reached a notable level in their careers and public nominations in
the categories of Theatre, Visual Art, Design and Music& Singing were
invited.
“By benchmarking excellence the ACT Awards set industry
standards. In addition, the process of identifying recipients highlights those
creative professionals working in the industry who not only meet but exceed
those standards thereby raising the bar. What this does is highlight
exceptional talent in the industry. This spotlight creates a platform for these
individuals who might not otherwise receive this kind of recognition -
recognition that has the potential to powerfully propel sustainable careers in
a highly competitive industry, "says Pieter Jacobs, CEO of ACT.
The finalists for the 2014 ImpACT Awards include fashion and
interior designers, and concept brands; fine art print-makers, curators and
entrepreneurs; singers, songwriters and musicians; and playwrights, actors and
directors. Every year the variety in skill and talent make the judging process
even tougher, and this year is no exception. Each winner will receive a feature
in ClassicFeel Magazine to the value of over R25 000 and a cash prize of R 1 500.
The judges for the ImpACT Awards include visual artist David
Koloane, fashion designer Eugienie Drakes, jazz musician Herbie Tsoaeli and
Moving into Dance Mophatong’s Nadia Virasamy. Caroline Smart, the convenor of
the judging panel and ACT Trustee says: “As always, it’s an extremely difficult
decision to make – to choose four successful candidates out of a very
impressive list. However, a choice has to be made and the panel has to look at
a number of issues; the most important issue being the potential development of
the individual in his or her chosen arts discipline. Another facet is how the
acknowledgement of the ImpACT Award could make a difference in enhancing the
recipient’s career. What is also very important is to acknowledge the
philosophy of the Arts & Culture Trust’s sponsors and to make sure the
recipient reflects these with pride.”
The cornerstone of the ACT Awards is the presentation of the
prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards for Theatre, Music, Visual Art and
Literature. Lifetime Achievement Award winners are nominated and selected by
the ACT Board of Trustees, the recipient is someone that the sponsors are proud
to acknowledge for their contribution to the arts. This year ACT has added a
category of Arts Advocacy to these Awards, launched in partnership with
ClassicFeel Magazine, honouring patrons in the arts who have devoted a lifetime
of work to supporting the arts.
The judges, being members of the ACT board of Trustees and
the committee, specifically choose winners who stand out from the artistic
excellence of their work; their experience in the industry and the impact this
has had on their community and the commerce of the creative industry as a
whole. The Lifetime Achievement Award winners are given R30 000 each,
totalling an impressive R600 000 since 2008.
The 2014 ACT Awards ceremony is sponsored by Nedbank Arts
Affinity, hosted by Sun International and presented in association with the Dramatic,
Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO), Media24 Books, ClassicFeel
Magazine and is supported by the Distell Foundation and Business and Arts South
Africa (BASA).
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