Creative Cape Town

Is Creative Cape Town part of government?
Creative Cape Town is not part of the City of Cape Town, rather it is a programme of the Cape Town Partnership, a non-profit which is there to facilitate the development of the Cape Town central city. Cape Town Partnership receives part of its budget from local and provincial government for specific work, but it is an independent agency and reports to an autonomous board made up of representatives of civil society and government.

Creative Cape Town only supports the central city? Why and where is the boundary?
As a programme of the Cape Town Partnership it is our mandate to service the central city area – from Mouille Point to Salt River – primarily. The area is also where the majority of creative agencies, venues and events are located and we therefore prioritise it. However, we recognise that to properly support the creative industries we need to engage with a broader geographic area where it is relevant to the sector and its work.

How do I become a partner of Creative Cape Town?
Our partners are usually large, non-profit service agencies working with similar mandates to ours in terms of promoting the creative and knowledge economy. The majority are so-called “sector bodies” or “special purpose vehicles” (SPVs) set up by government to work between government and the industry in such areas as visual and performing arts, music, film, craft, fashion, ICT and furniture. We advise you to become active participants of these bodies and hold them to account for building up your sector. We also work with some big events with large footprints, with major educational institutions and other related government and public-private partnership agencies.

Can I become a member of Creative Cape Town?
By virtue of being a creative or in the knowledge sector you are a member – we need you to help us make this city work best for you. There is no formal membership process so please participate by signing up to receive our newsletter (see the left side of the page), friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and respond to our posts. By following our media, you can find out more about opportunities and programmes taking place in the central city and find the connection that works for you. Also participate by sending us information about your projects and events, which we will try and support by spreading the word about them through our communication channels.

I am a visual artist/musician/designer/performer, can I meet with you to discuss my work?
Sadly we do not have the capacity to meet creatives and artists as we have a small team and a large mandate. Please make use of opportunities such as Tjing Tjing Exchange to come and share your projects/ ideas and experiences with us and other creative practitioners. Networking opportunities such as these are ways to get advice and support from Creative CApe Town and your peers who have similar experiences. The following artists’ handbook, produced locally in 2008, offers a very useful guide to the business of the arts, including fundraising.

How do I get my project/venue/event featured by Creative Cape Town on one of its communication portals?
We cover events, new developments, innovative projects, award winners and other inspiring stories that show how strong we are as a creative and knowledge centre. We prioritise creative initiatives in Cape Town central city. Please send us a press release or more information and – space willing or if it’s a truly amazing story – we will feature you in some way.  You can also participate in Creative Week Cape Town during the month of September to get the benefits of this marketing and promotions platform for creativity in Cape Town.

How do I advertise on Creative Cape Town channels?
Currently adverts are sold primarily in the Creative Cape Town Annual. If you have a proposal for another channel, send an email to aziza@capetownpartnership.co.za and we will assess it.

Would Creative Cape Town like to advertise in my publication?
We do not advertise in any online or print publications, radio or television. However we are open to hear proposals for trade exchanges. Please send proposals to aziza@capetownpartnership.co.za

Can I get a database of creatives in the central city? Can you distribute material for us?
We respect the privacy of our members, and so do not provide such a resource or service.

Can Creative Cape Town fund my programmes or event?
No, we are not a funding agency and do not fund any activities or projects.

Can Creative Cape Town help me fundraise or introduce me to funders or sponsors?
We do not have the capacity to assist with fundraising. We advise you to contact such agencies as the National Arts Council, the National Film and Video Foundation, the Arts & Culture Trust, Business and Arts South Africa and the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, who are mandated to serve as incentive funders for creativity. Many other agencies, based locally and internationally, are there to support creatives, so do search broadly for support. The following artists’ handbook is a great resource in this regard, and there is a wealth of material on the internet relating to various aspects of cultural management and development. Fundraising and sponsorship is primarily about long-term relationship building and for these reasons it is best left to the primary parties.

How can Creative Cape Town help my event?
We usually try to promote all events taking place in the central city, prioritising larger events. Please send us your press release or more information to keep us in the loop. If your event is happening in the public space rather than inside a venue, we advise you to apply to the City of Cape Town’s events office as soon as possible: Their website has the relevant forms for download as well as advice on how to set up an event. If you need additional advice and your event is based in the CBD itself (between Buitengracht and Canterbury streets), contact the Central City Improvement District at 021 419 1881 about ambient security and cleansing support as well as for useful advice on noise-related issues and road closures.

Who do I speak to in government about the creative economy?
The City of Cape Town has an arts and culture unit managed by Mr Zayd Minty, contactable at zayd.minty@capetown.gov.za. They also have a grants-in-aid fund which can be accessed at certain times – watch www.capetown.gov.za and the local media for more information and calls for submission.  The Provincial Government’s department of cultural affairs and sport is mandated to support cultural development; it manages the Western Cape Cultural Commission, which provides incentive funding. The Department of Arts and Culture is the national body for the promotion of the arts and creativity. These sector bodies support industry development and are a key point of call regarding economic development.

Does Creative Cape Town offer internships or is it open for volunteers?
Cape Town Partnership is developing a policy for internships and the programme is on hold for now. Our previous internship programme offered unpaid internships for a period of no less than three months on a full-time basis. Sadly, we do not have the capacity to manage volunteers … but thank you for your interest in supporting us!

I am looking for a job in the creative sector – can you help me? Can I work for Creative Cape Town?
We are a small team and positions open very rarely. Please join our various channels and you will be the first to know if such an opportunity arises.

I want to book City Hall. Can you help me?
City Hall is managed by the City of Cape Town. If you would like to host an event or exhibition at City Hall, contact Cynthia Court at Cynthia.Court@capetown.gov.za. To use the auditorium, contact Reuben Christian at Rueben.Christian@capetown.gov.za. There are a set of fixed tariffs for use of the auditorium but these are extremely well priced. The City is currently working on renovating aspects of this iconic space and rethinking its use. In the interim, Creative Cape Town is running a programme of music events there – see www.cityhall.co.za or the Facebook fan page for details.

I’m based in The Fringe, how do I get involved?
Go straight to The Fringe website where you can find out more about opportunities and projects in the area, as well as more about the design community. There is an active page on Facebook as well as a non-stop conversation on Twitter – @FringeDistrict where you can connect with like minds. For specific information contact yehuda@capetownpartnership.co.za.

How do I get involved in Cape Town World Design Capital 2014 and related activities?
Navigate to the Cape Town World Design Capital 2014 website and read more on how design can transform life. Momentum is building towards the World Design Capital year so join the conversation on Facebook and keep up to date with @CapeTown2014 on Twitter to ensure you don’t miss out. Use the #WDC2014 to keep Cape Town trending!