“For a long time I have longed to see the coming together of ideas pertaining to the greater community. Here it is! I salute you Kearsney for taking this baton. May this add inspiration and encourage many to follow their passion in art, drama, music, dance and words. Life is indeed art! What a wonderful display of talent and gifts. Thank you for blessing us” ANA PEREIRA DE VLIEG Artist ELWYN VAN DEN AARDWEG Teachers of Art, Drama, Dance and Music generally work in isolation in their schools with very few others who share their vision, challenges and joys. Culture@Kearsney aims to provide teachers and learners The diversity of talent, disciplines with a platform and stage on and performers provides a truly which to display their talents South African display of youth and creativity. Bringing together involvement cutting across racial, schools in the greater Durban social and economic divides. The and Pietermaritzburg region, we second year saw a wonderful hope to provide growth in the festival the opportunity for The diversity of with significant increases young people to be talent, disciplines in entrants, number of inspired about the and performers participating schools and Arts and to inspire resulted in a truly spectators. Message from the Headmaster others to appreciate South African the talent found in all display of youth Words@Kearsney will our schools. involvement be introduced in 2015, cutting across showcasing language in Culture@Kearsney racial, social and a creative and exciting is a non-profit economic divides. manner. attempt to encourage young people in the Fine and We invite schools to Performing Arts to take to the participate in this youth festival. stage and entertain. Established by The benefits to staff and learners in 2013, the sub- is immense, and the euphoria component disciplines of of performing on a recognised Dance@Kearsney, Art@Kearsney, stage will be an experience to be Music@Kearsney and treasured. Drama@Kearsney, under the umbrella of Culture@Kearsney, were held at the Botha’s Hill campus of Kearsney College.

BY ANDREA FRIPP Director Clubs & Culture Kearsney College

We are South Africans. We sing and we dance when other nations think it is inappropriate. We encapsulate more diversity than any other voices lifted in celebration of life. nation on earth, yet we are all And whether we learnt to sokkie bound by our deep love for culture. at the local church hall, play the The earliest San paintings in the djembe at a family celebration or Karoo depict scenes of festivals ululate in the fields with our cousins, where ancient man gathered to we are all joined by the deep spirit celebrate through dance of cultural appreciation that

Celebrating our Culture Celebrating and music. Our history Our history has runs through our souls. has been passed on to been passed on us through a rich culture to us through a Despite this, we are of story-telling. We are rich culture of watching the appreciation a nation that chooses story-telling. and expression of the to dance when we are traditional arts slowly protesting. We are a nation that dissolve into small pockets of sings when we are mourning, and activities amongst our youth not the sombre hum of hymns today. The reality is that in many either, but the robust chorus of schools cultural pursuits are being curtailed by budgetary constraints

and the premium once placed on We advocate healthy participation untainted fun has disappeared. We in festivals, as opposed to endless live in a world that is increasingly judging that produces winners and competitive, where our children losers, for, in the words of Ayn Rand, are taught from a young age to “A creative man is motivated by the benchmark themselves against their desire to achieve, not by the desire peers to the point where activities to beat others." devoid of competition have become irrelevant to them. Kearsney is providing the platform needed to showcase the talent that We want our community to be enthralled abounds in all of our schools, but by the talents of our youth again and we without the enthusiasm and, more want to draw our communities together importantly, the involvement of through arts and culture. the community we cannot make a success of this initiative. I sincerely We at Kearsney are offering the hope that you will be inspired opportunity to be the catalyst with ideas as to how you can get that will spur the revival of cultural involved. This is something we want appreciation in all schools. to see grow. It is something we Culture@Kearsney aims to provide want to see the community get schools with a platform that will excited about, to be enthralled by showcase the talents of our pupils the talent of our youth again and – whilst allowing these children to draw together, once again in the opportunity to benchmark celebration of arts and culture. themselves against others.

ART EXHIBITION The ‘Earth’ without ‘art’ is just ‘eh’. THE INK SOCIETY The Visual Arts play an integral role in providing opportunities for adolescents to express themselves, Kearsney as well as to develop aesthetic sensitivity as a crucial aspect of their lives. Eager art students embrace the @ opportunities to be creative, to innovate and to explore new frontiers. The fruits of their efforts however are

Art seldom witnessed by a wider audience, inevitably lost in dusty storerooms before being relegated to the landfill.

This annual exhibition aims to bring to the forefront the creative exploration and diversity of art produced by pupils, where the artists of tomorrow can learn from each other, develop their talents and unlock their potential for creativity.

Art@ Kearsney correct .correct . . . . isart. photography lighting, shotwiththecorrect the timetocomposecorrect withthe andsnapsafew simply picsortakes holdsthecamera photographer expression. asmediumofartistic of photography Whether the competitionistodevelop themedium The aimofthisphotographic a camera, nomatterthetype, capability, size orcostofthecamera. isimmediateandaccessiblephotography toanyone whohas by reducingittoasingle decisive moment. of The art around him,depicting theworld ascene interprets paint it: ifitcontainsemotionisart. A photographer, itor It doesnotmatterwhetheryou photograph asany othermedium. isjustasartistic Photography PHOTOGRAPHY glory.” and theexpression ofnature inallits world around them, thehumancondition to interpret, interactwithandexpress, the tool thatcreative andenquiringmindsuse “Photography isaninfluentialandpowerful MATTHEW WILLMAN

Dance@ Kearsney represent. astheschoolsthey thatis asdiverse a programme at thediscretionofindividualschool, thusensuring routines which “Tell aStory”. The styleofdancingis movement anddancesequences, withdynamic thatcelebrates adanceprogramme to undertake Schools areinvited form. this growing art audiences through talent totheeager toshowcase thebestoftheirdance opportunity Pupilsaregiven the programme. Culture@Kearsney expressionhasbeengiven thestagein artistic of dancehasensuredthatthisform contemporary of in interest intheworld The recentsurge aesthetics. thana finished object.action rather Dancevisualises self-awareness andself-confidence. Danceemphasises greater thatcanbring form Dance isanaccessible art FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE least once.” we have notdancedat every day lostonwhich “We shouldconsider

Drama@ Kearsney WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE plays many parts, hisactsbeingseven ages.” and theirentrances; andonemaninhistime women merely players: they have theirexits “All theworld’s astage, andallthemen without theinputofprofessionals. The emphasisisonthepupilsproducing, inplays directingandstarring orfulllengthplay. story fromashort a pupilattheschoolorderived are invited toenteraone-actplay, by written script eitheranoriginal soundandlightingequipment.a stageequippedwithworld-class Schools to showcase theirtalentstoanaudiencebeyond thatof their school, on from eachschooltheopportunity winning dramatists aimstogive This componentofCulture@Kearsney with pupilsinone’s own orotherschools. classroom. isoftennotshared Sadly theexperience drama talentsthatexistoutsidetheformal unearth points for theirHouse. often These amateurworks play however isusually limitedtoatitleandperhaps schools’ calendar. cultural for thewinning The glory One-Act plays an essentialelementinmany form

Music@ Kearsney through thepower ofmusic. economic backgrounds–promotingpeaceandtolerance acrosscultural,assisting inthebuilding ofbridges and racial communities, showcasing the incredible talent that exists and fromunder-privilegedalso aimstohighlightchoirs fromeachother.socialise andlearn OurFestival andmusic colleaguescanmeet,where choristers over KZNinafriendly, non-competitive environment fromall andhighschoolchoirs showcase primary to andaplatform aims toprovide anopportunity singing. ofchoral in acelebration This choirfestival CollegeChoironstage Join theacclaimedKearsney cooperating like that.” about thehumanracewhenIseethem teamwork. Itmakes mefeel optimistic themselves toapieceofmusic. Ilike the to seethefacesofreal peopledevoting “I love tohearachoir. Ilove thehumanity PAUL McCARTNEY

Words@Kearsney SAMUEL JOHNSON “Poetry ofunitingpleasure istheart withtruth.” impromptu “slamming” canbegin. form, pointfromwhichthe aswell astoprovide astarting Ceremonies for theevent, toshowcase thebestofthisart A respectedslampoetwillbeinvited astheMasterof youth ofKZNcanmeetandenjoy eachother’s creativity. This event oneinwhichthe willbeaninformal thoroughly enjoyed by theyouth. andcreative writing.of poetry is form This art inanexcitingmanifestation students toparticipate English languageinacreative way thatwillinspire The aimof Words@kearsney istoshowcase the judged by audiencemembers. works nolonger thanthree minutesandare offer participants in which performance poetry (n):Slam Poetry aform ofcompetitive

“What is culture and cultural regeneration without mindfulness, diversity and, of course, freedom of expression?” LENA ADELSOHN LILJEROTH

It is with great appreciation that we thank a number of people, schools and their pupils for their willingness to be a part this growing initiative. Without their involvement Culture@Kearsney would not have flourished the way it has. It is hoped that we will see you all back in the future and that all who read about Culture@Kearsney will be inspired by the

Thanks from Kearsney Thanks programme and by your performances and join us on stage in the near future.

Steven Stead & Greg King (Kick Start Theatre productions); Matthew Willman & The Matthew Willman Visual Arts Foundation;Tristan Jacobs; Motion Dance Studio; Dance to Dance International; Curro Hillcrest Christain Academy; Danville Girls High; Durban Girls High School; Ethembeni School for the Disabled; Glenwood High School; Gordon Road Girls School; Hillcrest High School; Howick High School; KwaThintwa School for the Deaf; Martizburg Christian School; Martizburg College; Sithingile Secondary School; St Mary’s DSG; St Nicholas Diocesan School; Thomas More College; Vusukukhanya Primary School; Westville Boys High School; Westville Girls High School; Westville Senior Primary School.

Invitation to Sponsor WILLIAM BENNETT, FORMERUSSECRETARY OFEDUCATION understanding andaccomplishment.” and theatre are allkeys thatunlockprofound human reading, writing, andarithmetic…music, dance, painting, are“The arts an essential elementofeducation, just like www.kearsney.com 031 7659600/2728 [email protected] The Foundation Director PLEASE CONTACT audience and encourage broadparticipation. audience andencourage season ofevents, anentirely newanddynamicapproachtoreachour opportunity for ouryouth astheylooktothefuture jobmarket.opportunity sector play arelevant roleintheeconomy andthatitisanexciting howAll initiatives thearts, cultureand heritage will seektoillustrate • toalignwiththeexcitingconcept oftheMzansiGoldenEconomy • tocreatea ‘higher stage’ and inspireandmotivateyouth toembrace learning,• toencourage development andnationbuilding by bringing • toexposetheyouth andthegreater community tothearts; • To promoteapassionandappreciationofthearts, cultureandmusic, THE OBJECTIVES (2004-2012). Culture managedtheannual UpbeatFestivalfor 9-years in thearts. Kearsney events instagingmulti-disciplinary hasadecadeofexperience Kearsney EXPERIENCE (MGE) and change attitudes towards the cultural industries.(MGE) andchangeattitudestowards thecultural the arts; and together communities andculturesthroughthearts; expression; throughartistic heritage through aseasonofevents, and rich diversity ourcountry’s celebrating @ Kearsney was launched in 2013 and delivers a waslaunchedin2013anddelivers Kearsney TARGET MARKET

Culture@Kearsney aims to attract and target: • School children between the age of 12 and 19 • Youth and resident audiences of KZN with a love of music, poetry, drama, dance and theatre; and • The Kearsney College community – boys, alumni, their families & staff

PUBLICITY

Substantial pre- and post event publicity and coverage is achieved in the print media and on social media platforms. Participating schools are Invitation to Sponsor to Invitation enrolled in the marketing drive. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Depending upon the level of sponsorship the following opportunities are offered: • Headline sponsorship; • Venue naming rights; • Branding exposure on the Culture@Kearsney website; • A dedicated marketing area on campus; • Running a competition, for give-aways and sampling; and • Opportunity for tertiary educational institutions to identify talent and Invitation to Sponsor to Invitation award bursaries in the arts.

Headline Sponsorhsip is sought at R150,000 to support operational, set- up and management costs. The sponsors logo will be included together with the Culture@Kearsney logo and will feature at all events and in all PR.

Eight Event Sponsors are sought to support the individual events. Event sponsors range from R5,000 to R50,000, depending based on budget cost and anticipated participation. Details are available on request. Please contact: The Foundation Director on 031 765 9600 | [email protected]

Queries: [email protected] KEARSNEY COLLEGE Tel: +27 (0) 31 765 9600 www.kearsney.com