Major projects.

The Piet Patsa Community Arts Centre

What
The Piet Patsa Community Arts Centre (PPCAC) in the northern Free State, South Africa, was completed in late December, 2010. The collective effort of five different architects in three different countries, the centre was a labour of love for all involved. The centre is named after Mr. Piet Patsa, a much-loved teacher at a Dramatic Need partnership school who passed away on March 22nd, 2009. It currently consists of one large arts and crafts room with wash-basin and kitchenware; staff and student lavatories; a large, secured storage room, volunteer accommodation and an office and a separate studio to house on-site staff.

Where
You can see the centre's location on Google Maps, or go to 27°10’47.50”S 26°55’07.53”E (elevation approx 1323m) on Google Earth.

When
The PPCAC opened for classes on 1st March 2011. Currently the centre runs eight after-school art and drama programmes per week.
Examples of these programmes include ‘Power House’ a workshop for 15 girls ages 13-17, using art and design to discuss issues around female empowerment, what it means to be a girl, and standing up for yourself. Other workshops include ‘Feature-Me’ a self-portraiture workshop designed to inspire self-confidence in vulnerable children and a Ditema [Sotho pattern-work] mural competition. During the mornings the centre is used for neighbouring school children’s art lessons and the Dramatic Need Ladies Sewing Collective. For programming updates please see the Dramatic Need blog.

Purpose and charitable objectives
The aim of this project was not only
to provide a sustainable and long-term operations base for Dramatic Need’s work, but also to provide a place where local children can learn viable life skills, be inspired and develop their self-confidence. This is a space for disadvantaged children to feel secure enough to confront long-held taboos on issues such as sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS.
By participating in the PPCAC workshops local children and youth have a positive use for their time, away from the gang violence and drug cultures currently affecting their communities. The centre is located separately from the local township for security issues. Dramatic Need provides transport to and from the centre every day, delivering children from the township to the centre and back again. The centre has become a focus point for the wider community, attracting children and unemployed young people to participate in gardening days, art workshops and craft-making.

Estimated impact
The centre currently has 120 students officially attending workshops each week, with many drop-ins. This figure is set to rise annually. Dramatic Need also runs a sewing collective, and regular teacher-training workshops at the arts centre for young men and women. Two of these former trainees have now joined the centre’s permanent staff.

Equipping the Piet Patsa Art Centre
The PPAC needs lots tender lovin’ care in the form of equipment, instruments, music stands, paints, brushes, dance bars, sewing machines... you name it , we need it. If you have any working musical instruments, arts, film or photography equipment you are no longer using, we would LOVE to give it a new home! Please send it to us at:

Dramatic Need PPCAC equipment
PO box 239, Viljoenskroon, Free State
South Africa 9520

Alternatively, (and more easily!) You could help us online by adopting one of our freindly little art equipment guys through our arts adoption scheme.

We are currently fundraising to construct a film and music studio with basic editing and screening facilities in an adjacent building recently made available to us. The centre will be built using sustainable materials wherever possible and the children will design the interior wall and floor murals.

Follow our progress
The Dramatic Need blog, written on site in South Africa by our new regional manager Bhekilizwe, includes daily updates and photographs on developments in the region, Dramatic Need workshops at the arts centre, and the fantastic kids we work with. It is a great way to stay updated and we urge you to subscribe.