Further support for community art initiative

School children create art, hold exhibitions, sell their art and ultimately raise sponsorships and other funds to make the project self-sustaining. The initiative has received a R150 000 boost from BASA to assist in the programme's maintenance and expansion.

Says Nicola Danby of BASA, “These studios are unique in their offering as they focus on nurturing core life skills through creative expression such as painting and music. The enthusiasm and motivation demonstrated by the children is particularly inspiring and this translates, at an immediate and more tangible level, into better scholastic performance and socialisation around shared values and hard work. Room 13 is a clever blend of entrepreneurship and creativity, and highlights the value of the arts in building individuals and, ultimately, civil society.”

There are currently two Room 13 studios in South Africa – one in Sapebuso Primary School in Soweto and one in Mmulakgoro Intermediary School in Botshabelo – five in the UK and a similar project in Nepal. The TBWA\ network of advertising agencies has ‘adopted' the initiative 13 and aims to take the concept to countries around the world. In order to grow the number of these schools substantially in 2007, the project continues to appeal to donors for further support.

Marie Jamieson, group strategic director for TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris, says: “We are delighted that BASA has come on board with the Room 13 programme. Their donation will go specifically towards funding artists-in-residence at new Room 13's in other disadvantaged schools. This means that more children can be helped to develop their creative expression as well as learn the business of art.

Having recently obtained sponsorship from the Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund (NMCF), it is wonderful to have another fantastic sponsor like BASA as it completely understands the importance of developing arts and creative talent amongst our youth,” concludes Jamieson.