BRIEF BACKGROUND

Now in its 19^th year, The Witness Hilton Arts Festival is a three day annual event bringing together quality South African theatre, music, dance, art and craft. It takes place in the grounds of Hilton College who are sponsors of the event, giving use of the facilities free of charge. It is the third largest theatre festival in the country and the largest festival in KZN. It attracts audiences mainly from KZN and Gauteng, drawing them into the Pietermartizburg and Midlands areas.

 

A youth programme, entitled “Jongosi” (a word coined by Johnny Clegg from the Afrikaans “jong os” and symbolising all that is young, vibrant and filled with hope for the future) forms an integral part of the festival and attracts large school groups.

 

It has seen may famous South African performers taking part – Athol Fugard, John Kani, Winston Ntshona, Fiona Ramsay, Andrew Buckland to name but a few. In addition many ground breaking pieces of new work performed by young companies have also been showcased. Examples are the work of the Ubom company, Lara Foot’s Tshepang and Dada Masilo’s dance.

 

The festival is managed by a small committee and admin staff, with a larger complement employed in the month prior to the event. Local people and businesses benefit from the influx of people for the event and the employment opportunites created.

 

The festival website is www.hiltonfestival.co.za and the 2011 dates are 16 – 18 September.

 

STATISTICS

AUDIENCE:

-          the festival sells in the region of 14 000 tickets to individual performances. Entry to the festival itself is free and many more people attend, in 2010 approximately 18 000;

-          LSM 7 - 10

-          AGE: mainly 30 -60, with the second largest group being 12 – 18 years

-          GENDER: 70% female in the 30 – 60 year group

-          DEMOGRAPHIC: excluding school groups 80% White; 10% Black; 10% Indian; the school groups push the Black and Indian percentage to 30%

-          AREAS: of the 14 000 tickets sold, 50% were from Pietermaritzburg / Midlands; 25 % Durban, North Coast and South Coast; 25% Gauteng

 

FESTIVAL EVENTS:

In 2010 there were:

23 theatre productions ( giving a total of 52 performances)

32 music productions -music revue, serious concerts, band stand concerts (41 performances)

14 workshops (21 sessions)

4 lectures

1 poetry reading

1 fashion show

1 book launch

19 art exhibitions

114 craft stalls

 

FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS:

In 2010 there were:

243 performers /lecturers/workshop leaders, supported by 31 theatre technicians

20 theatre directors

19 artists

200 crafters

 

EVENT VENUES:

 

PERFORMANCE:

Theatre

Memorial Hall

Drama Centre

Chapel

Fleur de Lys

Cabaret Venue (new in 2011)

Dining Hall

Topsy Turvey children’s venue (1 indoor plus outdoor)

Sports’ Hall

Amphitheatre

SAB Festival Marquee

Long Table Food & Bar Tent

LECTURE:

Centre for Innovation Lecture Theatre

WORKSHOPS:

15 venues

ART EXHIBITIONS:

Normand Dunn Gallery

Centenary Centre – ground floor

Centenary Centre – basement

Raymond Slater Library

History Room

Campbell Exhibition Centre A

Campbell Exhibition Centre B

Memorial Hall Foyer

Art School Gallery

 

EXISTING BUSINESS PARTNERS / FUNDERS

At the moment we are waiting for funding to be confirmed for this year. In 2010 we received:

• R 100 000 from the Department of Arts & Culture, KZN
• R 30 000 from Nedbank Business Banking, Pietermaritzburg
• reduced car hire rates from Budget
• R 950 000 worth of advertising, publicity and printing from The Witness, as well as editorial cover.
• R 75 000 of advertising from East Coast Radio, as well as editorial cover.
• subsidised accommodation for performers from local hotels and B&B’s
• rent free use of facilities from Hilton College
• sponsored technical equipment and rigging of six performance venues from Black Coffee cc (Durban)
• marquees andmarquee infrastructure from SAB
• free information distribution through SPAR, KZN

Spar KZN has confirmed R 100 000 for 2011.