Thousands of young people across Cape Town have spent the first half of the year exploring their creativity through the City’s Arts Aweh! Programme, an initiative that is doing far more than filling the hours after the school bell rings, Cape {town} Etc reports.
By opening the doors to free arts and cultural activities in community spaces, the programme gave children and teenagers a safe place to learn new skills, express themselves and connect with others, while also creating employment opportunities for local creatives.
From January to June, learners attended after-school sessions at seven City-owned facilities where they could experiment with a wide range of creative disciplines. Participants explored drawing, painting, photography, clay work, beadwork, hip hop, dance, poetry and performance, with all art materials provided free of charge.
The programme recently celebrated the learners’ achievements through exhibitions in Athlone, Ysterplaat, Pelican Park, Mfuleni and Hanover Park.
The showcases featured colourful paintings, functional art pieces, clay creations and other handmade works, while mini-concerts and fashion shows allowed young performers to present poetry, drama, dance routines and outfits made from recycled materials.
For many families, opportunities like these would otherwise be difficult to access, making community programmes such as Arts Aweh! an important investment in local youth. Beyond helping children develop creative confidence, the initiative also supports employment.
Nineteen young creatives and cultural workers were employed through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), allowing professional artists to mentor the next generation while gaining valuable work experience themselves. According to the City, the programme’s impact extends beyond the classroom.
‘Arts Aweh! is about more than keeping children busy after school. It gives young people a safe space to be creative, try something new, work with others and build confidence,’ said Councillor Francine Higham, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
She added that access to creative resources and opportunities to perform or exhibit work ‘can make a real difference’ in a child’s development.
Reportedly, Arts Aweh! was introduced as an after-school initiative designed to provide constructive, accessible arts and culture activities for children and teenagers, particularly in communities where safe recreational opportunities can be limited.
The programme has previously operated in areas including Pella, Dunoon, Bonteheuwel, Langa, Delft, Heideveld, Athlone, Gugulethu and Mitchells Plain, where local artists lead sessions in visual arts, music, dance, drama, creative writing and other disciplines.
Its broader goal is to keep young people engaged after school, offering positive alternatives while encouraging creativity, teamwork and personal growth. Over time, the initiative has earned praise for giving children a platform to showcase their talents and strengthening community participation through exhibitions and public performances.
The City is already preparing for the next intake and is encouraging parents and learners to register once applications open.
‘Arts Aweh! helps children learn, grow and reach their potential by offering new and creative opportunities,’
– Councillor Francine Higham, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
As communities continue looking for meaningful ways to support young people outside school hours, programmes like Arts Aweh! demonstrate how creativity can become a powerful tool for education, confidence-building and community development.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also Read:
Picture: The City of Cape Town
