Standard Bank Young Artists winners announced
Six young South Africans have been announced as winners of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award. The award is made annually to young South African artists who are either on the threshold of national acclaim or whose artistic excellence has enabled them to make international breakthroughs.
"The announcement of each year's Standard Bank Young Artist Awards offers a window into the dynamic vibrancy with which South African artists continue to use their talents and skills to resolutely raise the bar on artistic excellence in South Africa," said Ismail Mahomed, Artistic Director of the National Arts Festival.
Receipients of the 2015 Standard Bank Young Artists Award (from left - right): Nduduzo Makhathini (Jazz), Athi-Patra Ruga (Performance Art), Christiaan Olwagen (Theatre), Kemang Wa Lehulere (Visual Art), Musa Ngqungwana (Music) and Luyanda Sidiya (Dance).
The winners are:
- Luyanda Sidiya for Dance
- Nduduzo Makhathini for Jazz
- Kemang Wa Lehulere for Visual Art
- Musa Ngqungwana for Music
- Athi-Patra Ruga for Performance Art
- Christiaan Olwagen for Theatre
Standard Bank continues to pioneer and support initiatives that ensure platforms for the talented voices of our country's young established artists. Over the past 31 years, this award has proven to be a flagship of its kind in the arts in South Africa. We look forward to see what the 2015 group of winners will add to our national arts treasury, both as ambassadors of and inspiration for a new generation," said Hazel Chimhandamba, Head Group Sponsorship of Standard Bank.
Apart from a cash incentive, each of the winners will be featured on the Main Programme of the 2015 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown (2 to 12 July, 2015), where they will be given the opportunity to develop and première new works.
