April 10, 2006
By Thuli Ntuli
TEACHERS, high school and primary school pupils can learn more about the visual arts through the education support programmes offered by the Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG).
The programmes include teacher training, a Saturday school and a young curator-training workshop. The teacher and Saturday school programmes run simultaneously.
Prince Dube, curator at the gallery, said that the education programme was part of the JAG's community outreach programme.
"The majority of South Africans do not understand art and by these programmes we want to make the community part of the gallery.
"The government has made art compulsory at schools, and a number of teachers do not have enough knowledge. We are teaching them visual arts, so that they have the relevant information to teach," he said.
The gallery also encouraged young learners who had not been able to study art at school to come for lessons.
Saturday classes have been running every year, and this year's crop will run until 28 October. The JAG offers classes in drawing, painting, advertising, and animation. At the end of the course those who intend to continue studying art complete a portfolio review and prepare work to be accepted into art schools.
Classes are held from 10am to noon for primary school children and 1pm to 3pm for high school learners and older students. Children pay R200 for three months and high school learners pay R100 a month.
Teacher training classes are held on Thursdays and Fridays at 2pm, where teachers study pencil drawing and painting. These classes end later this month, when an exhibition will be held featuring what they have been doing during their training. The exhibition will run from 24 April until June.
A new teacher training course will begin after the exhibition closes. Teachers do not pay for the lessons; they only buy materials.
For the young curator's workshop, the gallery is still recruiting people. The workshop will start early next month. It aims to train students in practical curatorship, including research, conservation and interpretation of works of art.
For more information about the education support programmes call Prince Dube on 011 725 3130. The Johannesburg Art Gallery is on the southern side of Joubert Park, and the entrance is in King George Street.
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