The Bag Factory is seeking a new Director
In 2020, the Bag Factory secured its future by purchasing the building it has called home for three decades. The organisation is now seeking a new Director to join the Bag Factory team during a time of transition and to be a key player in shaping the future of the Bag Factory’s physical space and creative programmes. The successful applicant will be expected to carry on the Bag Factory’s 31-year history; they will also have to fundraise to realise a +R 10 million redesign of the Bag Factory’s building and establish a +R 5 million endowment fund going forward. Only applications submitted using the application form will be accepted. Please email your application to recruitment@bagfactoryart.org.za.
ArtThrob’s 25th Anniversary
A note from our founding editor, Sue Williamson: “The website ArtThrob appeared for the first time in August 1997, the moment of the 2nd Johannesburg Biennal, with the mission of publishing a monthly feature on contemporary South African/African art. The aim was, and still is, to bring news of artists, galleries, events and exhibitions to the attention not only to South Africans but to the wider world… The website has given a voice to young writers on art, many of whom have had few other outlets for their skills, and at the other extreme, articles and reviews by noted critics and art historians have added to the discourse. As one international curator said to me, ‘It is hard to research any (South African) artist or gallery on the web without a link to ArtThrob popping up.’”
Thank you to the artists and institutions who have supported ArtThrob over the years, especially the artists who contributed to our Editions programme, which has largely funded the site since 2002. Thank you to the copy-editors, designers, accountants and admin angels who have made the site possible. A sincere thank you to the editors past and present; ArtThrob wouldn’t exist without your care and integrity. And a big thank you to the writers who have shared their insight and expertise with us over the years.
If you’d like to see ArtThrob for another 25 years, please consider supporting us by collecting from our Editions programme. There, you’ll find affordable artwork by internationally renowned artists that, in turn, supports our staff and writers.
Stay tuned for special events and announcements in honour of this occasion. Meanwhile, check out our first ever edition here, or browse through the rest of our archive here.
Thami Mnyele Art Competition
Submissions are open for this year’s Thami Mnyele competition, hosted and sponsored by the CoE under the auspices of the Arts, Culture and Heritage (ACH) Directorate of the Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SRAC) Department. First Prize is R100,000; the Ekurhuleni Prize boasts R60,000 and a solo exhibition at the Springs Art Gallery; there are Merit Awards in four categories (painting, sculpture, multimedia and works on paper) each to the tune of R30,000; Honourable Mention gets R15,000; and one of the Top 15 winners will win a three-month residency at August House. Enter the competition online.
Thami Mnyele, Things Fall Apart 2, 1976.
If you’ve got news you’d like included in the round-up, pop us a mail at keely@artthrob.co.za
