Ever heard of the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT)? Well, they’re giving a Gauteng-based designer the opportunity to collaborate on an exciting project that is part of the 2023 ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme.
The open call offers costume designers a chance to be part of a significant event that celebrates the arts and empowers young talent. The chosen costume designer for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship will play a vital role in bringing the performances to life through their creative vision and expertise. This is a great opportunity for new creative talent to gain awareness and exposure, both on and off the stage.
The selected designer will design costumes for the participants who will be showcasing their talents at the prestigious ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Finals showcase at the Joburg Theatre on 7 October.
The chosen costume designer will work closely with the programme’s artistic director, ensuring that the costumes align with the overall artistic vision for the showcase. “We are delighted to extend the purpose of the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, which is to develop new talent, outside of the performance spectrum but still within the arts and culture sector,” says Jessica Denyschen, CEO of the Arts & Culture Trust.
“Costume designers are an important part of every production, and we encourage aspiring designers to share their creativity so that when our finalists showcase their performance talents, they can also display the vision of the next generation of costume designers.”
If you are a Gauteng-based costume designer with a passion for the arts, a flair for creativity and a keen eye for detail, you are invited to submit a budget estimate to design costume pieces for 10 performers for the project together with a profile of your previous work, one reference letter and a mood board or sketch of the ideas you have for the project. All submissions must be made via the ACT website and submissions will close on 6 September 2023.
The theme of the design project is ‘African Regal’ and centres around capturing the essence of royalty and nobility found across African cultures. The costumes should exude elegance, sophistication and a strong sense of identity. Drawing inspiration from traditional and historical elements, we encourage applicants to infuse contemporary creativity while staying true to the essence of the African regal theme.
Designs should incorporate a kaleidoscope of ‘royal’ colours to enhance the visual impact of the costumes. The use of jewel tones, the rich and vibrant colours, including deep purples, royal blues, emerald greens and regal reds together with gold accents incorporating touches of gold to symbolise wealth, prestige and luxury.
While the costume designs should be grand and regal, the practicality of movement, comfort and functionality are important considerations, especially the movement of the performers and dancers during the staged showcase. Tailoring will be individual to suit each performer and the needs of their performance(s).
The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme is an undergraduate scholarship programme, aimed at providing opportunities for school leavers to pursue a tertiary qualification in the visual and performing arts. In partnership with Nedbank, Sun International, the Market Theatre, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) and the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO), ACT has offered scholarships since 2009.
Through the programme, talented and ambitious young people from across the country are introduced to the world of professional arts through an intensive week of training, talks and performances, culminating in a showcase and exhibition. Working with industry professionals and experts, participants gain valuable experience and the opportunity to work with other future artists from different backgrounds.
Matriculants, school leavers and budding arts practitioners will have the opportunity to win a fully paid undergraduate scholarship to study at a South African arts institution of their choice in 2024.
The finals week will be held from 2 October, culminating in an exhibition and showcase at a gala event on 7 October 2023, where the winners of the performing arts category and visual or digital arts category will be announced. Each winner will receive a fully paid scholarship, valued at up to R350 000, to study at an arts institution of their choice in South Africa.
