Township Arts Experience

About Township Arts Experience

The Maboneng Township Arts Experience is a fascinating initiative that is aimed at putting small local artists on a global platform, so that their unique crafts can be enjoyed by an international audience. This would otherwise be impossible for these ones, who often rely solely on what they make from their wares to survive.

This has been accomplished in the major urban cities of both Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa; and the project continues to grow as visitors from around the world get to see the array of talent in this colourful country. The Maboneng Township Arts Experience is based in Alexandra Township, which is situated close to Sandton, Kew and Lombardy (East and West). This is just over an hour's drive from the OR Tambo International Airport.

The Maboneng Township Arts Experience is a non-profit entrepreneurship project that works with township artists and their families. This involves using the homes of these artists and turning them into unique museums and galleries in which they can showcase their work. These gallery homes are then opened (by arrangement) to tourists and art enthusiasts that are looking for an art scene that breaks the rules.

In addition to seeing the art and meeting the artists behind it, this initiative creates business opportunities for the community at large.

This is a novel approach to the township tour. Visitors are invited into the vibrant settlement of Alexandra to experience the culture and daily lifestyle that has become the norm for millions of South Africans.

The walking tour is conducted among the homes and shops of the township, and includes local heritage sites, art centres, craft centres, and graffiti routes.

There are personal art workshops that are conducted from the homes, as well as dancing and drumming workshops. In addition, there are two- and three-day packages that enable you to see even more art and galleries, and to meet more of the locals that are behind them. Tasty traditional meals are served on these awesome experiences.