Clarens ArTS FestiVal
24-27 APril 2026
ArtStart Clarens Ignites Creativity
and Empowers Local Youth
The Clarens Arts Festival, through its ArtStart Clarens initiative, is making meaningful strides in inspiring and empowering young people across the greater Clarens community.
Focused on cultivating a vibrant and inclusive artistic environment, ArtStart Clarens offers young participants opportunities to explore their creativity, develop their talents, and engage across a wide range of artistic disciplines. Through accessible arts education, mentorship programmes, and community-driven initiatives, the project nurtures emerging talent while strengthening social and cultural connections.
A central aim of the initiative is to make arts education widely accessible to children and youth. By creating sustainable opportunities for both emerging and established artists, the programme contributes significantly to the cultural and social development of the region.
Operating under the umbrella of the Clarens Arts Festival, ArtStart Clarens is committed to delivering free or low-cost workshops and masterclasses. The initiative works closely with local schools and organisations to expand access and provide young creatives with exposure to professional artists across multiple disciplines.
The programme spans a diverse range of creative fields, including visual arts such as painting, drawing, photography, film and ceramics; performance arts including music, dance and theatre; literary arts such as poetry and prose; and design disciplines ranging from costume and set design to jewellery and fashion.
ArtStart Clarens has also established key long-term partnerships with the Afrikaanse Taal- en Kultuurvereniging (ATKV) and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), both of which play an integral role in supporting and expanding the initiative’s vision.
In a significant show of support, internationally acclaimed sculptor Anton Smit has donated a statue to be auctioned during the festival. Proceeds will go towards the ArtStart Clarens Fund, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to nurturing young artistic talent.
Among the programme’s highlights is the upcoming community theatre production, ArtStart Clarens & ATKV Senkatana Stage: Building Brave Voices. This town-wide initiative aims to unite residents through the performing arts, fostering creativity, collaboration, and community wellbeing. Envisioned as an annual event, the production will be created by the people of Clarens, for the people of Clarens.
The production will weave together the Nativity story and Senkatana, a traditional Basotho fable, presenting a shared narrative that explores themes of journey and identity. The project will be led by local creative Suzaan Pretorius, also known as Kate Rok, in collaboration with ATKV, bringing together a diverse cast and production team from across the community.
In addition, TUT will facilitate a series of workshops throughout the year, covering disciplines such as dance, jewellery design, interior design, graphic design, photography, and social media management.
The first in a series of dance workshops, led by Prof Nalini Moodley-Diar and Dr Nicola Haskins, has already taken place, attracting enthusiastic participation from local children. These sessions explored the theme of Gender-Based Violence, providing learners with a creative platform to engage with and better understand this critical issue.
Feedback sessions with school caregivers are currently underway, incorporating insights from participating learners. These findings will help shape the next phase of the initiative, as the TUT and ArtStart teams continue to refine and expand the programme.
Through these initiatives, ArtStart Clarens is building a dynamic platform that celebrates young voices, fosters creativity, and connects the local community to the broader South African cultural landscape.
Festival-goers are encouraged to visit the ArtStart Clarens booth, featured among the visual arts installations, to learn more about the initiative and how to get involved. Organisers are calling on residents to take part in this celebration of community, inviting all who call Clarens home to share in the creativity and spirit that define the village.