FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 9 December 2024
ARTS & CULTURE TRUST TO LAUNCH SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST SMART THEATRE
Envisioning a digital future where Africa’s creative industries flourish, driven by technological innovation and abundant opportunity. The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT), in partnership with the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the City of Ekurhuleni, the South African Creative Industries Incubator (SACII), Soda World, and the Dumisani Masilela Theatre, is proud to bring this vision to life. In November 2024, these partners will launch the groundbreaking ‘Smart Theatre’ project – a transformative training programme designed to build a sustainable, tech-driven creative industry ecosystem.
The Smart Theatre project will engage with community arts centres nationwide to provide training in technological, ICT, and digital skills relevant to modern and forward-thinking creative industries. The training will feature the following components:
- Smart Studio Theatre, AI and Mixed Reality Programme – facilitated by Soda World training artists on how to diversify their particular artform for mixed reality. This component will include Broadcast and Stage – Train live performers, technicians, directors and production producers in broadcast skills for live events and television.
- The Writer’s Lab – managed by SACII which will involve a 2-month intensive writing programme with the goal being to train writers to create content for film and digital platforms such as YouTube.
These initiatives will be open to artists, creatives, theatre and film technicians, arts entrepreneurs interest in emerging technologies and performers in the greater Ekurhuleni, creating new pathways for their development in the creative economy and the metaverse, both locally and internationally.
Through these programmes, ACT and its partners will collaborate with industry experts to deliver an innovative ecosystem model. This approach will provide performing artists, digital artists, writers, technicians, designers, content creators, technicians, administrators, marketers, and arts entrepreneurs with access to cutting-edge technologies and the latest information in the arts. ACT and its partners will also offer critical training designed to meet the evolving job market demands, locally and globally, for skills in VFX, Mixed Reality, Production, and Broadcast.
Jessica Denyschen, Chief Executive Officer of the Arts & Culture Trust says: “The Smart Studio Theatre Project represents a vital step forward for Africa’s creative industries, equipping our artists and practitioners with digital skills that are now essential in the modern job market. By bridging the 4IR gap in the creative sector, we hope to empower a generation of talent with the tools and knowledge to compete globally while rooted in African innovation. This initiative strengthens our creative economy through locally accessible, high-quality training, affordable production spaces, and new distribution networks that bring the power of digital transformation to community arts centres across the country.”
A briefing session for artists in the greater Ekurhuleni will take place at the Dumisani Masilela Theatre in Germiston on Thursday 12 December after which applications for the programmes will open until 4 January 2025. There are 10 spaces available on the Writer’s Lab Programme and 40 spaces on the Smart Studio Theatre Programme both rolling out between January and March 2025.
Pascar Dube, Performing Arts and Acting Manager for the Dumisani Masilela Theatre says: “We are excited to be partnering with ACT on this country first. Bringing technology, niche training and skills to the artists of Ekurhuleni is of great importance to us. As the world of AI and mixed reality evolves we need to ensure our artists reap the benefits of future jobs and businesses. ”
ACT looks forward to sharing further updates as this transformative initiative unfolds. Together, ACT, the Department of Sports, Arts & Culture, and our esteemed partners are committed to building an inclusive, sustainable future for the South African creative sector through technology, training, and community engagement.
To keep in touch with the ACT, visit their website, follow them on X or like their Facebook page. ENDS
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Keitumetse Mbatha, marketing@act.org.za or Awande Dube, awande.dube@icloud.com.
Celebrating 30 years of Arts Excellence – Arts & Culture Trust
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is South Africa’s premier independent development and art investment organisation. The primary aim of ACT is to increase the capacity for arts and culture initiatives to create sustainable futures through development and investment in innovative, sustainable projects that make a meaningful contribution to society. Through structured development programmes, ACT provides support to all expressions of arts and culture, including literature, music, visual art, theatre, and dance. This support extends to festivals, community arts initiatives, arts management, arts education, and arts administration. Over the past 30 years ACT has supported more than 830 arts, culture, and heritage development projects countrywide, including small businesses.
For more information, please visit the ACT website, follow them on X, or like their Facebook page.
South African Creative Industries Incubator (SACII)
The South African Creative Industries Incubator (SACII) is an experienced business development and incubation entity that has been working in the creative SMME environment for the past eight years, with a particular focus on the creative industries. SACII is a predominantly township-based creative hub providing business incubation, acceleration, entrepreneurial support, and technical skills training. SACII also provides production facilities and equipment to emerging creative economy entrepreneurs. The strategic combination of these services is designed to culminate in leveraging content development, business growth, market access and job creation for creative industry entrepreneurs and practitioners
Soda World
Soda World, a pioneering mixed-reality platform based in Johannesburg, is revolutionising the live music and cultural event experience in Africa and beyond. Founded in 2023, Soda World uniquely blends real-world venues with virtual reality, transforming live cultural events into immersive virtual experiences and connecting global audiences to African culture. Recognised as a worldwide leader in mixed reality physical-to-virtual events, Soda World has produced over 100 events, engaging more than 14,000 people virtually. Their innovative approach has garnered international acclaim, including participation in the prestigious MIT Reality Hack in Boston and a showcase at the Venice Film Festival 2022.