Call for proposals: Inaugural Nelson Mandela Bay Arts Festival in SA

The call is designed for artists who are living and working in Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape.

Artists who are working in collaboration with other artists and projects in the city are also invited to submit proposals here before 8 April.

The event will host an array of artists from the city and the Eastern Cape province, who will be performing live. It will feature a mix of entertainment, more serious and contemplative music, drama, comedy, visual exploration and a family fare. It will also programme workshops as well as craft and design exhibitions aimed at local artists and the general public.

The organisers say the festival is “an excellent opportunity for school groups to take a cultural dip”. The full festival programme is expected to be announced in August 2022. 

“As we know from the National Arts Festival, the Eastern Cape is brimming with cultural and creative talent that deserves more exposure,” National Arts Festival CEO Monica Newton said. “The Mandela Bay Arts Festival is an arts experience by the city and for the city, where residents and visitors can see and celebrate the talent that’s right on our doorstep.”

Nelson Mandela Bay executive mayor Eugene Johnson said: “The Mandela Bay Festival joins Nelson Mandela Bay’s vibrant arts, culture and entertainment scene at a time when we are rebuilding our arts and tourism economies. The festival is committed to working with local artists and arts organisations to present a multidisciplinary showcase of the best that our city has to offer for all communities. We are looking forward to working with the National Arts Festival to create this exciting new initiative.”

Artists are invited to attend an information webinar about the Mandela Bay Arts Festival on 3 March at 3pm. Attendees can register here to attend the webinar.

All enquiries should be addressed to info@mbaf.co.za.

View the original call here.