ArtThrob clinches two nominations
ArtThrob has been shortlisted as a finalist in two categories for this year's 2003 Arts and Culture Trust (ACT) Awards. The website has been nominated one of three finalists in the category media of the year in support of arts and culture (internet & print), the website's editor, Sean O'Toole, also a finalist in the category arts and culture journalist of the year.
The ACT Awards, held in conjunction with media partner Mail & Guardian and corporate sponsor Nedbank, acknowledge the contributions of individuals, organisations and agencies in supporting the development of arts, culture and creativity in South Africa.
This year's finalists for media of the year are Artslink, ArtThrob and Screen Africa. The selection has surprised many, not the least because of the notable exclusion of the highly regarded print publication Art South Africa. Interpreted differently, the shortlist does however suggest that the digital medium is beginning to play a pivotal role in the dissemination of mainstream arts and culture information.
Competing for honours as arts journalists of the year are Themba ka Mathe, Bongani Madondo and Sean O'Toole. It is ka Mathe's second nomination. He is currently ACT's arts and culture journalist of the year.
Commenting on the nomination, ArtThrob's editor remarked: "It is a great honour, not just for me personally but for all the dedicated staffers who contribute to making ArtThrob a nationally representative platform for the contemporary art community."
In a wry mood, he added: "Hype aside, arts publishing and writing still faces a big challenge, especially in asserting its presence in everyday society. While at a braai recently my optimism in this regard was chastened by an unassuming member of the general public.
"On hearing that I was an arts journalist this particular individual commented, 'Hell boet, I don't read IT magazines.' Now I know this probably doesn't make much sense but it is worth bearing in mind that in Jo'burg the word IT can sometimes sound oddly like ar-tee. Vowels tend to get flattened here, which explains the conflation of these two words in my interlocutor's mind. I was at once amused and depressed."
Sue Williamson, the website's founding editor and de-facto patron, also expressed delight with the nominations. "After a period of uncertainty, during which the website was sustained by immense acts of selflessness on the part of a few individuals - including former editor Sophie Perryer - the website is now confidently moving forward."
Also nominated for their contributions to arts and culture in South Africa are Tammy Ballantyne (Performing Arts Network of SA), Mandy Gilder (National Archives of South Africa) and Carole Hoch (Department of Arts & Culture), all in the category arts & culture administrator of the year. Nominated in the category cultural development project of the year are Dance for All, the Joubert Park Project for the Creative Inner City Initiative, Mogalakwena Craft Art Development Foundation and Moving Into Dance Mophatong.
The MTN Foundation, Norwegian Band Federation (Norges Musik Forbund - NMF) and
V & A Waterfront (who sponsor Aqua Opera and Singathon) are all finalists in the category organisation of the year in support of developmental arts & culture.
This judging panel for this year's event comprised twice-nominated radio arts journalist Michelle Constant; Vanessa Cooke, who is director of the Market Theatre Laboratory in Johannesburg; media critic, cultural writer and associate editor of Sowetan Sunday World, Sandile Memela; George Gobingca Mxadana, founder, music director and conductor of the Imilonji KaNtu Choral Society; and Professor John van Zyl, who served as head of Media Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand for 20 years.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by Nedbank on September 18, in Johannesburg. Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture Buyelwa Patience Sonjica will be in attendance to present the prestigious Arts & Culture Lifetime Achiever Award, which carries a cash prize of R30,000. Previous recipients include Nofinishi Dywili, Gibson Kente, Professor Es'kia Mphahlele and Percy Baneshik.
