Samanthole Arts Foundation

Partnerships must be built on integrity and not on political correctness. Partnerships that are erected on political correctness are erected on unstable foundations. At some point, your partners and others will see right through you and your project. When your “political correctness” has been exposed you and your project will have no integrity and you may have difficulty in finding other partners.  Portrait Illustration of Dr. Ismail Mahomed. Photo Credit: Facebook  Partnerships are ethical when it protects rather than damages public trust. It’s ethical when the relationship is two-way between donor and organisation. It’s ethical when it brings meaning or increases the value of the work that is being created, the people engaged in the production, the recipient constituencies and the community in which the project is exercised. It needs to benefit and empower rather than destroy and leave nothing in its place.  In simple words, don’t be afraid to say no. Don’t be afraid to c

On Monday, March 11th, 2024, my colleague Moses Senyatso and I experienced a profound journey as we took delivery of artworks by two exceptional artists, Zakes Mda and Mbongeni Buthelezi, located in different corners of our Johannesburg artistic landscape. Mda's pieces arrived fresh from his successful exhibition at the William Humphreys Art Gallery, where his captivating works had enraptured audiences from November 2023 to the end of February 2024. Meanwhile, Buthelezi's creations had been entrusted to our care for some time. Installation View from Mbongeni Buthelezi's warehouse studio.  After handling the delivery of Mda's artworks, we embarked on a poignant pilgrimage to Buthelezi's studio, nestled within the warehouse confines of Booysen. It was a reunion filled with nostalgia and admiration as we reconnected with the master of plastic collage after many years. The last time I had the privilege of encountering him was in 2015, during the opening rece

Day 17 of 100 of the Siphindile Nuh Chelsea Hlongwa Challenge that I should write down my thought and experiences about how I survived holding key cultural leadership positions over the past four decades. In my post today I write about understanding and navigating the funding landscape.  Portrait Illustration of Dr. Ismail Mahomed. Photo Credit: Facebook  In 1996, when I moved from freelancing to working in formally structured arts organisations one of the fastest things that I learnt is how to tap on different sources of funding that can make up the total income for an arts company.  Each kind of funding whether it is subsidies, grants, corporate sponsorship, self-generated funding or international donor funding has its own rules, regulatory & accounting systems, reporting systems and risks. The sooner I learnt about this the easier it became to tap into different sources for funding.  At a workshop hosted by Drama for Life at Wits University yesterday I spoke to stude

Arts organisations often have clearly stated vision & mission statements. The struggle that artists / new arts managers often have when they have to apply for funding is how to write a vision statement for a specifically funded project. This requires more than simply stating the organisation’s broad vision statement. Ismail Mahomed Illustrated Portrait. Photo Credit: Facebook A vision statement for a funding proposal should offer a clearer indicator of what the project proposed by the organisation or the artists intends to do (programme) how they intend to do it (processes & outputs) with whom ( partners & enablers) and why (social benefit). The above information contained in the project proposal vision statement then becomes the architecture on which the proposal targets, processes, timelines and budgets are evolved. An easy way to achieve this is to draw a stocksheet (inventory) of an organisation’s key players, partners, infrastructure & resources through which the p

Below are some of the advantages of investing your time and money into the arts or creative sector in general.  1. Enhancing Esthetics: Elevate your living space with original artwork, transforming it into a visually captivating haven where colors, textures, and forms breathe life into your surroundings. 2. Infusing Vitality: Art injects vitality into your home, stirring emotions, igniting conversations, and fostering a dynamic atmosphere that offers a glimpse into the artist's soul. Baeng Lenyalong (Guests At The Wedding), Mixed Media Acrylic Painting on Canvas, 92cm x 56cm, 2024. ARTIST: Khehla Chepape Makgato.  3. Fostering Creativity: Immerse yourself in art to stimulate creativity, connecting with the artist's vision to explore new perspectives and nurture your own creative expression. 4. Thoughtful Gifting: Consider art as a unique and meaningful gift that transcends material possessions, leaving a lasting impression and conveying heartfelt sentiments. 5. Ment

Visiting Nelson Makamo's studio in Johannesburg was a truly immersive experience that seamlessly blended functionality with artistic inspiration. The studio space, designed to accommodate both work and dining, stood out as a beacon of cleanliness and orderliness in an industry often characterized by messy studios. From the moment I stepped into the reception area, I was warmly welcomed by Makamo and his colleagues, setting the tone for a memorable visit. As Makamo directed me towards the working space, I passed through a simple yet inviting kitchen where two more colleagues, dressed as chefs, were busy at work, adding to the welcoming ambiance of the space. Nelson Makamo and Chepape Makgato in Makamo's studio, Johannesburg. February 2024.  Entering the working area, I was greeted by the sight of elegant white swinging sofas and leather Chesterfield sofas, serving as the perfect backdrop for Makamo's latest creations. Among them, one piece, larger than life, imme

"TSA SEFALENG," Richard Mokgomme's third solo exhibition currently showcased at OOVOOKOO Gallery in Selby, Johannesburg, serves as a poignant reflection on the multifaceted issues permeating South African society. Through a diverse array of artworks, Mokgomme tackles socio-political complexities, post-apartheid realities, and the profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As viewers navigate the exhibition space, they are confronted with a visceral journey through the country's history, as well as its present challenges, including unemployment, corruption, and unfulfilled promises. The exhibition's title, "Tsa Sefaleng," hints at the theatrical nature of democracy, inviting viewers to witness the unfolding drama from the artist's unique perspective. Re Aparetswe Ke Leru Le Lentsho, Collage and Acrylic on Brown Paper, 2024. Photo: From Facebook  What sets "TSA SEFALENG" apart is Mokgomme's bold juxtaposition of political and c