The Northern Arts Festival will deliver a fifth installment in September 2011. In the last four years, this festival, comparatively speaking in it’s infancy, had become a fixture on calendars not only in the Nelson Mandela Metro, but across the Eastern Cape – art lovers across our country is beginning to notice it.
The Northern Arts Festival is different from probably most similar events because it caters for and attracts such a varied fan base that reflects our rainbow community so perfectly. This festival creates a platform for artists and performers that would otherwise not have opportunities to showcase their talents. It further creates short term employment opportunities as well as much needed entertainment, relaxation and clean fun to a people that is starved of such opportunities.
The Northern Arts Festival has become one of the country’s cultural flagship events and one of Port Elizabeth’s most prestigious arts festivals. During Festival time, the northern areas in Nelson Mandela Bay provide an international stage for artistic excellence. The strength of the Festival’s brand is based on its long standing reputation as the most prestigious multi-disciplinary and multicultural arts festival. It has become one of South Africa’s premier arts festivals showcasing a rich history with the people of Bethelsdorp, built by the missionary Dr. JT Van Der Kemp in 1802.
It is an imperative that the Northern Arts Festival be seen, not only as an arts awareness campaign, but also as an integral part of the complete solution that is our vision to create a better society for the future. At the end of the annual Northern Arts Festival, every attempt is made to assist the young people, who have come forward as “emerging artists” in sustaining their “musical talent” and becoming true South African inspirational success-stories, in their own right.
The Northern Arts Festival is a South African icon. It promotes and celebrates our cultural enrichment and stimulates our creative energy, our sense of pride and identity as a community and country. Since its inception in 2007 the event contributed to the stimulation the local economy of Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Northern Arts Festival is a contributor to the tourism industry as it attracts significant media coverage locally, nationally and internationally.
This year’s event focuses strongly on the culture of the diverse community and came alive with colour whilst buzzing with excitement and activity. More than 80 000 people attended the three day celebration festivities in 2010. As a flagship event, the Northern Arts Festival is a high profile marketing platform for the local arts community and offers significant development opportunities. We expect a larger crowd of people who will attend the 2011 festival and over 120 dancers and musicians during the four days of intense display of music and language (Oral history). On-going workshops will be conducted by individual presenters in each of the music genres.
Northern Arts Festival provides a perfect backdrop to this community driven Art Festival. With so many things to do and so much to see, it really is an event for everyone. To list a few of the activities: Artists’ tents featuring paintings, sculpture, and handmade jewelry, all available to purchase or simply enjoy as you stroll through. Pay a visit to the traditional food court at the Festival. Pause at the Skys Da Limit stage to relax to the sounds of local musicians. Kids love the “Playland” designed to let their inner-child have the time of their lives.
The Local Government and Municipality are committed to the Festival philosophically and commercially. The Northern Arts Festival and its partners share a vision on leadership, excellence and commitment to its stakeholders by continuing to achieve better results.
Through utilizing the magnificent surrounds of one of the oldest settlements in South Africa, the Northern Arts Festival creates tailored hospitality experiences, as well as the benefit to some of the best entertainment in the world.
For further information contact:
Billy Paulson
Festival Director
Cell: 082 4432209
Fax: 0865178185
E-mail: info@northernarts.co.za
Alan Straton
Latest posts by Alan Straton (see all)
- Why Digital Equity Is South Africa’s New Frontier for Women’s Empowerment – By Matebe Chisiza-Asukile and Natasha Mboyisa - 25 September 2026
- New Champions Rise at the 2026 Street Lines Skate Tournament - 23 September 2026
- When Manufacturers Have a ‘Beef’ Then Both Suffer - 23 September 2026
- How Much Are You Worth per Year to Your Bank? - 23 September 2026
- Better Business Processes. Stronger Workplace Skills. Smarter AI. Greater Business Productivity. - 23 September 2026
