The winners of the 2001 Standard Bank Young Artist Awards are Walter Oltmann (visual art); Brett Bailey (drama); Tracey Human (dance), and Fikile Mvinjelwa (music).

All the recipients will appear on the main programme of the forthcoming Standard Bank National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Each of the winners receives substantial financial backing for his or her Festival participation, whether this involves the mounting of an exhibition or the staging of a production. The Young Artists also receive a cash prize.

Established in 1981, the Young Artist Awards recognise South Africans of a relatively young age who have demonstrated artistic promise within their discipline but who have not yet achieved national exposure or acclaim. The Awards are designed to encourage the winners in the pursuit of their careers.

Says Lyndon Barends, Standard Bank Group Sponsorship Director: "We are very proud to once again sponsor the Young Artist Awards and in doing so, play an active role in the development and promotion of our country's young and upcoming artists."

Previous winners of the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards include soprano Sibongile Mngoma, actor and director Jerry Mofokeng, painter Dr Marion Arnold, William Kentridge, Andrew Buckland, Mbongeni Ngema and choreographers Robyn Orlin and Boyzie Cekwana.

The Standard Bank National Arts Festival runs from June 28 to July 7, 2001.