Hemingways and Emnotweni Casinos launch arts programmes

The Tsogo Sun Arts Academy had been operating primarily in Gauteng. It was launched in 2012 as a carefully designed full-year curriculum that uses the arts as a catalyst to provide opportunities for change in the lives of primary and high school learners in disadvantaged communities around Johannesburg. Now the academy is spreading its wings.

Hemingways has established a Kids for Art/Craft programme, which is run by Belinda MacDonald, executive PA at Tsogo Sun's East London property, in conjunction with Sharon's Arts School and Which Craft? for 50 primary school learners from five schools.

A storeroom was converted into a fully-equipped arts room where weekly classes are run for the junior and senior groups. "There has been such a huge response to the academy that a second class for each age group has been implemented this year," says Shanda Paine, Tsogo Sun Group CSI manager.

Specialist teachers

The classes not only concentrate on art (painting and drawing), but specialist teachers also teach the students other art forms, such as craft work and clay. Already the young budding artists are starting to emerge. Recently three artworks from these learners were submitted to the largest annual child art exhibition in the world being held in China later this year.

"We're encouraged by the response and enthusiasm to learning art by the youngsters and one of our aims is to provide ongoing opportunities for talented learners to encourage their love of art - and have a positive impact on their futures," Neville Austin, marketing manager of Hemingways, says.

Emnotweni Casino started a Performing Arts Development Programme in 2013, with hip-hop dance as the first phase and the SOS Children's Village in Kamagugu as the place where the programme would have a positive impact. Ten children were selected for the classes. "The objective of this programme is to give youngsters an opportunity to learn a performing arts skill and hopefully create job opportunities for the future," explains Nicolette Botha, marketing manager at Emnotweni and project manager for the programme.

Impact on children

A local hip-hop dance teacher works with the children once a week at Kamagugu and the programme is having an impact on the children - with the youngsters participating in the Eisteddfod last year and some taking their first hip-hop exams.

"We have high hopes for the youngsters participating in this programme - and apart from their dancing talent, we can see improvement in their discipline and respect for others, which is very encouraging," says Botha.

"We've seen the arts as an excellent platform to teach life skills, including self-confidence, finding your voice, responsibility and commitment, as well as working in groups. With this strong foundation, our Arts Academy programmes are growing from strength to strength - and with it, the children are too," Paine says.