NATIONAL NEWS - An esteemed panel of judges have been confirmed to single out the winners for the 2016 ImpACT Awards, to be held in Johannesburg in the last quarter of the year.
Held annually, the Awards recognise and celebrate excellence within the arts, culture and creative sectors in South Africa.
Sitting on the judging panel this year are Beneficiary Relations Manager for the National Lotteries Commission, Sershan Naidoo; ACT chairperson, Melissa Goba; Dance Umbrella Director, Georgina Thomson; actress, playwright and voice coach, Motshabi Tyele; and award-winning pianist and educator, Andre Petersen.
"We are absolutely thrilled to be announcing this year's panel comprising some of the key role players in the arts and culture industry in South Africa.
The panel, without a doubt, possesses the experience and knowledge to identify the very best of young emerging professional artists.
We extend a heartfelt word of thanks for their willingness to take on this challenging task," says Pieter Jacobs, CEO of the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT).
The 2016 ImpACT Awards for Young Professionals, sponsored by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) and the Distell Foundation in partnership with Sun International will present a total of five ImpACT Awards to honour young professional artists.
Since the inclusion to the ACT Awards in 2010, the ImpACT Awards continue to highlight the work of developing artists. The Awards recognise the growing impact these artists’ voices have already added, and the potential of where they can continue to mature and contribute to South African art.
The Awards have gained national acclaim and exposure throughout the industry, and are a platform for young professionals to be identified by their peers as respected contributors.
The ImpACT Awards are presented to individuals not older than 30 years old, working in South Africa for no more than five years.
