Deadline:
May 1, 2020
Launched in 2017, the Innibos National
Craft Awards last year attracted over 1,200 entries, up by over 400 entries
from the inaugural competition.
The awards are organised by John-Anthony
Boerma and Jan Bhuda of ArtAid Africa and are hosted under the auspices of the
National Innibos Arts Festival.
From the get-go, the organisers were intent
on creating a competition that was as inclusive as possible and four years
later, this remains unchanged. Entry is thus free of charge and the entry
process is simple – requiring only that a photo of the craft item be submitted,
along with the entrant’s details.
“The competition is focused on showcasing
the excellence of skill among South Africa’s crafters, from established artists
with their own studios to those emerging craftsmen whose mastery is forged from
nothing more than their own determination,” says John Anthony.
The overall winner walks away with R50,000,
the first runner-up with R20,000 and the second runner-up with R15,000. Just as
valuable as the prize money, however, are the connections forged with
like-minded individuals and the exposure of their talent on a national stage.
Both Boerma and Bhuda have years of
industry experience – as artist, trainer and curator – and intimately know just
how exceptional the level of craft skill is in South Africa.
Nonetheless, they have been amazed by the
quality of entries, diversity of mediums and technical expertise shown by the
entrants over the past years.
They invite all artists in the craft sector
to submit entries in the following disciplines: grass-weaving, ceramics,
beadwork, wirework, wood, jewellery, paper, fabric painting and printing,
quilting, leatherwork, pewter, glasswork, embroidery and mixed media.
Forty entries will be shortlisted and put
forward for final judging. The adjudication panel will be announced next year
but, as always, the organisers are committed to ensuring that the judges are
experts in their field who will uphold the integrity of the competition.
The winners will be announced at the
National Innibos Craft Awards Exhibition and Prize-giving on Sunday, June 21,
2020, at which all 40 shortlisted entries will be displayed.
The exhibition will remain open to members
of the public for the duration of the annual Innibos National Arts Festival,
which attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.
“Innibos aims to create a platform for the
development and enjoyment of all genres of art, so the National Craft Awards is
a natural evolution of Innibos, which is synonymous with celebrating South
African talent,” says Sandra Jacobs, one of the founders of the Innibos
National Arts Festival.
Entering is easy!
Crafters have until midnight on May 1,
2020, to enter. They need simply take a photo of their entry – next to a
matchbox for size of scale, and either e-mail it to crafts@innibos.co.za or
send it to 071 621 3597 via MMS or WhatsApp. There is no entry fee.
Ts&Cs apply and can be found on the
competition’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/Innibosnationalcraftawards.
Remember to include your name, the town in
which you live and your contact details. Entrants who have not heard from the
organisers within 30 days of the closing date must take it as given that they
did not make the shortlist for final judging.
The finalists must be available to attend
the exhibition opening and prize-giving on June 21, 2020.
For more information, WhatsApp Jan Bhuda on
071 621 3597 or e-mail John Anthony Boerma at artaid@lantic.net.
To keep up to date with the Innibos
National Craft Awards, like on Facebook: @InnibosNationalCraftAwards, follow on
Twitter: @InnibosCA and connect on Instagram: Innibos National Craft Awards.
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