the dti ASSISTS COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE AT THE FNB JOBURG ART FAIR

the dti ASSISTS COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE AT THE FNB JOBURG ART FAIR

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), through its Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS) for emerging exporters program, will fund fourteen mainly women-owned creative companies to showcase their design products and services at the Joburg Art Fair. The fair which held at the Sandton Convention Centre from 22-24 August 2014, is an annual event which will be taking place for the 8^th time this year.

The Fair showcases the cream of the South African contemporary artistic productions. It is a critical platform for positioning African artists as players in the international arena and committed to growing the contemporary arts industry.

According to the Director-General of the dti Mr Lionel October, the dti will assist exhibitors from the craft and design sectors to exhibit their locally-made products, which range from ceramics, soft furnishing, jewellery, home décor and design at the Art Fair.

“The event this year indicates the many ways in which art collaborates with other industries, such as fashion, design and architecture and fits together well with the dti’s mandate to assist and further the development of industries within the creative sector,” said October.

Since its inception in 2008, the Festival has combined various disciplines of arts. It is bringing contemporary design into the Art Fair and facilitates a broader dialogue with industry and other creative fields.

The purpose of assistance under SSAS Funding for Emerging Exporters is to compensate the costs in respect of the activities aimed for the development of South African emerging exporters. All benefits paid up-front for qualifying expenditure such as travel, accommodation, exhibition costs and services, stand construction, brochures, freight related costs and any other relevant cost.