Handbook, a must for migrant, start-up artists

The handbook is now available as a free download from www.africanartsinstitute.org.za.

"As Arts, Culture and Heritage in the City of Johannesburg, we are approached on a daily basis by migrant artists who are trying to find their way in the city in order to establish themselves as artists," commented Alba Letts, acting director of Arts, Culture and Heritage at the City of Johannesburg, where a Migrant Help Desk has been active since 2007. "We recognised the need for putting in place a support system that will provide them with information and increase their independence within a new environment. The Migrant Artist's Handbook fills this gap and will be an invaluable tool for these artists to assist them to understand the cities they have come to work in."

Information on resources and references

The handbook undertakes to provide both migrant and South African start-up artists with resources, references and tools to approach various arts disciplines with self-fulfilling and self-sustaining imperatives. It includes two sections, the first covering five disciplines - music, film, performing arts, visual arts and literature. Each discipline is introduced by an overview of the South African context, followed by personalised "how to" contributions from specialists in the respective fields.

The second section of the book is resource focused, covering communications, from how to use the internet as marketing tool, to where to access English language courses; business, from opening a bank account to processing orders, deliveries and payments; and including substantial chapters on personal documentation and legal assistance.