Spike Lee, Phyllida Lloyd, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Carrie Mae Weems named mentors in Rolex Arts Initiative
Rolex announced the mentors for its 2020-2021 Arts Initiative at the Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town. The announcement marked the culmination of the 2018-2019 cycle of the Arts Initiative that since 2002 has paired 54 of the world's greatest artists with up-and-coming artists from around the globe.
These world-renowned innovators – Spike Lee (film), Phyllida Lloyd (theatre), Lin-Manuel Miranda (open category) and Carrie Mae Weems (visual arts) – will each spend the next two years in close collaboration with an outstanding young artist with whom they will exchange ideas and ensure that artistry at the highest level is transmitted across generations and geographic boundaries.
Spike Lee
American filmmaker Spike Lee has chosen to work with Kyle Bell, 33, United States; British director Phyllida Lloyd with Whitney White, 33, United States; and American artist Carrie Mae Weems with Camila Rodríguez Triana, 34, Colombia. American composer, lyricist and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda will choose his protégé in the coming weeks.
“We at Rolex have been privileged that, for nearly two decades, dozens of the most genre-defining artists have lent their time and expertise to the Arts Initiative,” said Rebecca Irvin, programme director.
Phyllida Lloyd
Carrie Mae Weems
“The four new mentors who join the initiative’s community of creative greats have broken new ground in their respective fields and we look forward to the impact they will have on their protégés, as they pass on their devotion to their art in this cross-generational exchange.”
The 2018−2019 Arts Initiative series marked a change in the programme structure, with mentorships addressing disciplines in alternating periods. In 2018−2019, the mentorships took place in architecture, dance, literature and music, while in 2020−2021 the programme addresses film, theatre, visual arts and the new variable eighth discipline, the “open category” mentorship.
