International Links with Johannesburg, South Africa

BHM continues its international activities this year by linking to Birmingham's sister city Johannesburg, South Africa, which celebrates BHM in November.

As a sister city there are already many established economic and educational links between the two cities, but not many grass roots and cultural links. To rectify the latter in May 2002 Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Arts funded Sabra Khan, Artsfest Co-ordinator to visit Johannesburg to explore potential links between community orientated arts in the two cities.

The outcome was real enthusiasm to link the two cities, with organisations such as the National School of the Arts exploring exchange visits to give their students an experience of performing arts in Birmingham. The Apartheid Museum, officially opening its doors this September, has a temporary exhibition space for which they are openly inviting ideas. 'Moving Into Dance' are running a Community Dance Teachers Training Course, offering opportunities to exchange skills.

This winter Birmingham Library are showing Vanley Burke's photographic exhibition at the Bensusan Gallery in Museum Africa (December 2002 - January 2003). This is part of an exhibition exchange with Handsworth called 'through Southern Eyes' by George Hallett, on show during BHM at Soho House Museum in Birmingham.

If you would like information on the arts links with Johannesburg please contact Steve Ball on 0121 303 2919 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

For information on the City's wider links with Johannesburg contact Mike Murray, at Birmingham City Council on 0121 303 4452 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/johannesburg , (also covers school based links.)

Discover for yourself the rich history of Johannesburh's culture and heritage by typing in 'Johannesburg History' into your search engine (all Libraries have free internet access).

Other interesting websites to visit include: www.sibikwa.co.za, www.artslink.co.za/fnb, www.midance.co.za, www.markettheatre.co.za

Comments (0) >>

Show/Hide comments

Write comment

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Comment

Add Comment