SA: NAC and Hong Kong Arts Development Council enter partnership

The partnership, signed on 2 February, was conceived during a recent Hong Kong visit by NAC officials hosted by the South African Consulate-General. It seeks to foster cultural and creative exchanges between South Africa and Hong Kong for the benefit of artists.

As an indication of commitment to the partnership, NAC and HKADC have embarked on an inaugural project in which creatives from both countries will jointly curate new musical pieces featuring African and Chinese music at the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX) in October and South African Expo in 2025. In addition, NAC has begun a project to select emerging and established South African artists proficient in South African indigenous music instruments and string instruments for this historic event. The selected artists will be drawn from various marginalised South African provinces and will receive financial support. The HKADC will also provide five artists and a music director to oversee the production.

“As the council of the NAC, we are deliberate on our mission to make the NAC an accessible and responsive funding agency, delivering public value by leveraging partnerships to foster the development, promotion and sustainability of the arts sector,” NAC chairperson Celenhle Dlamini said. “As such, we are excited about this international collaboration and believe it will amplify the impact of our initiatives and contribute to the overall growth of the arts sector.”

NAC interim CEO Julie Diphofa said: “The NAC looks forward to a transformative collaboration with the HKADC as it aligns with its strategic objectives of creating international market access for South African artists. On behalf of the NAC, I would like to use this opportunity to thank the HKADC for expressing interest in the South African arts and we are confident that this collaboration will play a significant role in strengthening the development and promotion of arts in both regions.”

The Department of Sport Arts and Culture commended NAC for creating a ground-breaking partnership which will provide employment, global exposure and opportunities for many of our talented South African artists through its efforts to create more opportunities for the arts sector.

The Department of Sport Arts and Culture (DSAC) commended NAC for its effort in creating more opportunities for the arts sector through this partnership, which is designed to create jobs, global exposure and opportunities for South African artists.

HKADC CEO Winsome Chow said: “The signing of MoU between HKADC and NAC of South Africa marks an important milestone for promoting the arts and cultural exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and South Africa. We hope the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo will provide a platform for both talented Hong Kong and South African artists to showcase their outstanding works to audiences in both places.”

Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo executive director Heidi Chu said: “The collaboration is an exciting step to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges that inspires new ideas.”