V&A Waterfront Nurtures Young Creative Talent in 2023

The V&A Waterfront’s Artist Alliance program, committed to fostering young creative minds in Cape Town, is proud to announce its latest cohort of emerging entrepreneurs.

This year, six promising talents are set to embark on a transformative journey guided by industry veterans who bring invaluable expertise to the table. The selected mentors include Dirk Durnez (Fine Art), Zunaid Green (Videography), Nadia Darries (Animation), Russell “Yay Abe” Abrahams (Illustration), and Kay Faith (Music Production). In addition to this mentorship, these emerging artists will benefit from continuous coaching, market access, and business support courtesy of Creative Nestlings, a renowned platform dedicated to empowering emerging creative talent.

Tinyiko Mageza, V&A Waterfront Marketing Executive, shared the program’s mission, saying, “The Artist Alliance Program aims not only to showcase the existing talents of these emerging artists but also to celebrate the unique perspectives they have cultivated over the years.”

The collaboration between industry mentors and the Creative Nestlings platform creates a space for collaboration and knowledge sharing, fostering a thriving community of creative individuals. Mageza expressed enthusiasm for the new cohort’s potential success in their respective fields.

The past achievements of program alumni are evident in the utilisation of their artwork in the Waterfront’s public spaces and promotional campaigns. Notably, Mbhali Manzini, Richard Average, and Nqaba Shakes Mbolekwana, three Artist Alliance alumni, who serve as ambassadors for this year’s program.

Meet the V&A Waterfront Artist Alliance 2023 Cohort

Six talented individuals have been selected to gain practical experience and skills in six diverse creative disciplines. The new cohort includes:

• Graphic Design: Carmen Jacobs
• Illustration: Larissa Mwanyama
• Music Production: Sipho Ngqayimbana
• Animation: Anelissa Nkanyuza
• Videography: Lehlohonolo Ndlovu
• Fine Arts: Dumisane Mparutsa

The 8-week incubation program, led by Creative Nestlings, comprises a blend of online mentorship sessions and group discussions. Mentors will draw from their personal experiences and industry-specific expertise to provide guidance. Additionally, industry experts will lead core curriculum sessions covering essential topics such as marketing, branding, financial management, and copyright protection.

The program will culminate in a showcase of selected works by the participants after their graduation from the incubator program.

Learn more about the artist alliance programme, here.