A fest within a fest at the KKNK

OUDTSHOORN NEWS - A festival within a festival where high school learners gather to experience the arts with a programme of dance, drama, music, visual arts, workshops, and discussions specifically designed for them.

This is what participants can expect during the first KKNK Youth Arts Festival, presented in collaboration with the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). An additional, exciting element of this festival is the launch of online videos by professional artists who provide additional tools for education in the arts.

Look, listen, learn and feel

"From 1 to 4 April we present a festival of look, listen, learn, feel and experience, aimed at high school learners with an interest in the arts, through special packages," says Hugo Theart, artistic director of the KKNK.

"Content is curated in such a way that groups can not only experience the arts outside the classroom, but also meet professionals in the arts and participate in discussions and workshops. This is also a wonderful opportunity for the youth to be introduced to the KKNK, as they are the audiences of the future."

According to Theart the Youth Arts Festival has been compiled with the aim of providing educational experiences to participants.

'Cross-pollination'

Anina Lundie, senior curriculum planner in creative arts at the WCED, encouraged high school learners and their teachers to attend the first KKNK Youth Arts Festival, stating that participants will receive exposure to dance, drama, music and visual arts, which will serve as guidance in making subject choices in the senior grades and ultimately career choices in the arts sector.

"Learners from all spheres and socio-economic contexts are invited to the Youth Arts Festival and this cross-pollination of learners from different backgrounds will develop an awareness of arts across diverse cultures. Most of all, this first Youth Arts Festival will develop arts literacy and appreciation, as well as future audiences and arts consumers."

Videos

On 3 April the WCED's supporting videos for the subject creative arts, that were recorded in collaboration with the KKNK and professional artists over the past two years, will be launched. These videos are presented in an online format to serve as educational material and supporting tools in the senior phase curriculum for dance, drama, music and visual arts for teachers and learners.

"Learners will benefit from these videos created by practising South African artists who serve as role models and are representative of the predominant languages and cultural contexts of the Western Cape.

"The focus of the videos is on skill-building in the creative arts, possible career pathways in the arts, as well as entrepreneurial skills and how these contribute to the arts economy of South Africa," Lundie said.

Benefits for life

According to Roxy Levy, project manager for the launch of the videos, the first KKNK Youth Arts Festival will have incredible benefits for the learners, not only immediately, but also in their foreseeable futures.

"The festival will foster creativity and imagination and allow them to think out of the box. Learners will be encouraged through both performances and workshops to explore emotions, generate empathy, engage the mind and body, improve verbal skills and assist them in developing their own unique voice.

"These skills will be taken back to the communities they come from, where they will share them with and inspire their peers. We hope that the valuable skills these learners will receive can be applied to any life situations and will be an integral part of their holistic development."

Photo: www.hansvanderveen.co.za