Urban Voices 2004: International Festival of the Diaspora - Celebrating Ten Years of South African Democracy
Southern African Arts Exchange
- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Special Initiatives
- Grant Amount $50,000
- Grant Period January 1, 2004–December 31, 2004
- Location Johannesburg, South Africa
- Geographic Focus South Africa
About this grant
The year 2004 marks 10 years of democracy in South Africa. Throughout the struggle for democracy, art and culture played a significant role because it was often the only means for the oppressed to speak out against the violations of their human rights. In addition, art was used to portray the kind of society that South Africans wanted. The Southern African Arts Exchange was created to focus on arts and culture in the new South Africa. For the past three years, its has hosted an annual festival called "Urban Voices" to showcase young artistic talent in the performing arts — music, theatre and performance poetry.Funding will support an international arts festival celebrating 10 years of democracy in South Africa. The festival will focus on the past 10 years by inviting South African and international artists to reflect on the cultural practices, trends and themes that have emerged over the decade. The festival will be held in summer 2004.The Southern African Arts Exchange is a nonprofit organization that produces and develops cultural exchange projects within the performing arts.