MBABANE – Core Art International has boosted the country’s artistic and professional development of 30 young people through the inaugural Insika Arts Academy Arts Development Scholarship Programme.
The four-month initiative seeks to identify, develop and equip young people with artistic skills, professional knowledge and opportunities to explore creative careers while contributing to community development.
The programme will offer 30 Arts Development Scholarships, providing selected participants with structured training in the performing arts, career development, theatre exposure, youth engagement and community-impact activities.
The initiative represents a continued commitment by Core Art International to using the arts as a vehicle for youth development, skills acquisition and social transformation.
Insika Arts Academy is designed to go beyond conventional performing arts training.
While participants will develop their artistic abilities in areas such as dance, theatre, music and performance, the programme will also introduce them to the professional and entrepreneurial possibilities within the creative sector.
Training will incorporate artistic development, career guidance and practical insights into turning creative skills into sustainable livelihoods.
The academy will also welcome participants interested in technical and creative disciplines, including sound, lighting, music and production, recognising the diverse skills required to support the performing arts industry.
Through theatre tours and exposure to artistic productions, participants will have opportunities to broaden their understanding of the creative industry and engage with the different elements that contribute to professional performance.
A distinctive feature of Insika Arts Academy is its integration of community development and youth engagement.
Through Core Art International’s community-focused approach, participants will have opportunities to engage in initiatives that use the arts to support social and behaviour change communication.
These activities may include youth engagement programmes, community-based artistic initiatives and creative interventions that respond to social and developmental needs.
The programme seeks to equip young people not only to participate in the creative sector but also to recognise the potential of their artistic skills to contribute to meaningful change within their communities.
This approach reflects Core Art International’s longstanding belief that the arts can be an important instrument for education, personal development, community participation and social impact.
The E165 000 investment represents the projected value of the training and development programme for the inaugural cohort of 30 participants.
Through the Arts Development Scholarship model, Core Art International seeks to expand access to structured artistic training while recognising the value of the professional expertise, resources and opportunities being made available to participants.
The initiative also creates opportunities for organisations, businesses and individuals interested in youth development, arts education and community impact to support the development of young creative talent.
As the academy establishes its inaugural cohort, the programme is envisioned as a foundation for continued investment in the creative potential of young people in Eswatini.
Insika Arts Academy will select 30 participants through an audition process.
The auditions will seek individuals who demonstrate artistic potential, creativity, commitment and a willingness to learn and develop within the programme.
Applicants are encouraged to explore opportunities across performing arts and related technical and creative disciplines.
The selection process will also provide an opportunity for prospective participants to learn more about the programme, its structure, expectations and scholarship arrangements.
The inaugural cohort will embark on a four-month development journey, with the programme expected to culminate in a presentation of participants’ artistic growth and experiences.
About Insika Arts Academy
Insika Arts Academy is an initiative of Core Art International, an organisation committed to arts education, community development and the empowerment of young people through creative expression.
The academy seeks to create a platform where artistic skills, professional development and community engagement intersect, opening pathways for young people to explore creative careers and use their talents to contribute to society.
