Art for all in the city

The Youth in the City festival, being held from 15-17 June, is an initiative by Johannesburg-based company Urban Arts Platform (UAP) that aims to unite diverse people who share a love for art.

The festival, created to address issues of heritage and culture within Johannesburg’s CBD, is being held at the Anstey’s Building in Joubert Street. Its goal is to unite people from different backgrounds by means of multidisciplinary artistic performances and workshops in all art genres, bridging social, economic and racial divides.

Since its launch in 2010, UAP has been hosting events at the landmark Art Deco building, working closely with the community. It’s anticipated that the Youth in the City festival will continue the company’s work of developing arts skills and appreciation at grass-roots level.

UAP’s greater goal is to initiate conversation with struggling artists about finding spaces where they can express their talents, while also assisting those who may not be able to afford to pay commission or rental fees at galleries or theatre complexes.

This week’s festival aims to entice Jozi residens, from Sandton to Soweto, into the CBD to express themselves, be wowed by a variety local talent and, most importantly, to embrace the magic of creativity.

For more information, contact Leigh Nudelman at [email protected] or 072 124 4111