The Impact of COVID-19 on Theatre and Dance: STAND Foundation Launch

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The arts industry, particularly dance and theatre, has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with cancelled performances, loss of income, and tragic losses of creatives. The STAND Foundation, launched in September 2020, aims to support and nurture South African dance and theatre during and beyond the pandemic, led by notable industry figures. It seeks to provide assistance and celebrate the resilience of practitioners in the face of adversity.

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An invitation to dance with us, to keep the theatre lights shining

How have you survived the last year? The arts have carried many through the lockdowns Reading books Listening to music Downloading movies Watching stand-up comedy online

A recent report in Europe found the creative industries to be the second- most hard hit. After the aviation industry. Tourism was in third place. Dance and Theatre rely on audiences. But gatherings are banned. Or so limited as to make productions unviable. Festivals are cancelled. Theatres shut. Curfews make audiences stay at home. The loss of income has left many artists destitute, resulting in mental, emotional, psychological and physical unwellness. And yet, COVID-19 has devastated the arts

A South African story Gregory Maqoma is an internationally-acclaimed choreographer. He was invited by the International Theatre Institute to write the annual message for International Dance Day on 29 April 2020, a prestige awarded to few dance-makers. Gregory founded the Vuyani Dance Theatre more than twenty years ago. Last year, the company was honoured in the Outstanding Production category at the Bessie Awards in New York for Cion: Requiem of Ravel s Bolero. For the last year, the company has been unable to tour because of the pandemic. This has severely impacted the company s finances.

Numerous creatives have passed on during the last year Sibongile Khumalo Dawn Lindberg Jonas Gwangwa Portia Mashigo, a Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance (2004) Themba Dredz Mbuli, another Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance (2016), died a few weeks before the birth of his child

This is the background to the launch of the Sustaining Theatre and Dance (STAND) Foundation on 1 September 2020. The STAND Foundation is an initiative from within the dance and theatre sector to take care of itself, with the help of its broader ecosystem. STAND s mission is to nurture, support and celebrate contemporary South African dance and theatre and its practitioners, both during the pandemic and beyond.

The directors of STAND Foundation Musa Hlathswayo Artistic Director of Mhayise Productions, Durban Gregory Maqoma STAND Chairperson, internationally-acclaimed choreographer Saartjie Botha CEO of Woordfees, University of Stellenbosch Lesego van Niekerk Performer, Choreographer, Performing Arts Consultant Debbie Turner CEO of Cape Town City Ballet Ismail Mahomed Director of the Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN Yvette Hardie President of ASSITEJ Ricardo Peach CEO of Vryfees, Bloemfontein Sbonakaliso Ndaba Artistic Director of Indoni Dance, Arts and Leadership Academy Mike van Graan STAND Coordinator, Playwright

Among other things, STAND has supported four choreographic mentorships with JOMBA! Dance Festival. identified and given a platform to seven young women stand-up comics. What has STAND done to date? hosted a course on financial wellness for artists. launched the Living Libraries projects to care for industry elders. Among other things, STAND has published a Discussion Document on a vision for dance and theatre. rewarded young writers for their winning satirical writing entries. launched a year-long leadership programme for more than 35 participants.

STAND invites subscribers STAND aims to crowdfund substantial support from individuals who support dance and theatre Like Netflix and the Daily Maverick, STAND will offer content to monthly subscribers For at least R100 per month, subscribers will receive freshly-curated content weekly This will include links to international productions, staged readings of new plays, interviews with top choreographers, reduced or free entry to events

Why are we approaching you? Everyone is under financial stress. Many are helping family, friends, colleagues in desperate need. We understand these difficulties. Because we are experiencing them ourselves. We are approaching you because: You have supported theatre and dance in the past You could know someone in dance and theatre You recognize the importance of the arts in our lives.

How does the STAND Subscription work? You sign up as a subscriber through this link: https://forms.gle/y7RkZbPYoXYDCrDT9. You set up a debit/stop order for at least R100 per month (you are welcome to contribute more) or pay R1000 before 31 March for the year. Our banking details for monthly debit orders or a one-off deposit are: Sustaining Theatre and Dance Foundation NPC, Standard Bank, Current Account 10137744720, SWIFT Code: SBZAZAJJ. You could also pay through the donations portal on our website www.standfoundation.org.za. (Please do complete the above subscriber form to help us keep track.) STAND Foundation will then deliver content links to your email address weekly.

Who benefits from the funding generated by STAND subscribers? The primary beneficiaries will be practitioners, projects, organisations, companies and festivals in the dance and theatre sector. Recruiters many of whom have lost Subscribers benefit from content that STAND will be able to provide income who sign up subscribers will earn a commission (like insurance brokers who earn commission). Subscribers benefit from content that STAND will be able to provide.