A pivotal Community Arts meeting will be held at the BAT Centre on May 14. During the course of the event, a National Community Arts Steering Committee will be elected.

Interested parties should fulfil the following criteria. They should represent community arts centres whose activities cover a series of disciplines and work in buildings dedicated to their organisation's activities, on a regular or permanent basis.

They should also be working in a developmental way through art and culture to address their communities' needs (including heritage and media) and be autonomous from government structures (e.g a trust, Section 21 company, ngo or voluntary association).

During the course of the event, a report will be delivered by the meeting’s convenor, BAT Centre Director, Nise Malange, on the formation of the National Community Arts Association.

Attendees will be invited to provide feedback on their areas of operation within the framework of community-based arts organisations. Issues of funding and policy will also be dealt with. In order to facilitate the election of a provincial community arts structure, delegates are requested to bring with them an outline of their organisation's planned projects for the rest of the year, as well as a mandate authorising them to stand for office.

Representatives at the meeting will include delegates from the Department of Art & Culture, and relevant local government stakeholders.

Applicants are requested to contact the BAT Centre to reserve their place at the meeting by no later than May 9. Transport can be arranged for those from outlying areas. All interested parties should contact Nise Malange on 031 332 0451 (o/h).