Mega Artists Magazine #3

MEGA ORGANISATION
Issue no: 01
rtistic
YouthExpressions
Artistic Youth Expressions is an organisation aimed at growing the essence of art, music and poetry in
Mokopane and providing individuals an opportunity to express themselves through performing
arts. Artistic Youth Expressions (AYE)was established in July 2013 and was officially launched on
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the 19 October 2013 at Micasa 2, a local restaurant in Mahwelereng. It was established after
recognizing a desperate need for a positive alternative to the excessive use of drugs, alcohol, criminal
activities and other anti-social elements which have mushroomed in the area. To date AYE has
eighteen official members.
The main objective of the organisation is to empower the youth of Mokopane to become decent
people with respect for themselves and other community members. Tom Revenus, the co-founding
member of AYE said art is the alternative solution to decipher community challenges. “We are doing
this through art that has clean content. Furthermore, we are focused on uniting the youth in our
community.” AYE is the only organisation in Mokapane that offers a platform for the youth to
express themselves artistically and because of this , the organisation has relished a rapid growth
since its inception.
Tom said they are looking to recruit new members, particularly high scholars. “For one to qualify as
an official member of the organisation one has fill in an application form, which has to be returned
with a joining fee (R30 for young adults/R15 for high scholars). When you are member of Artistic
Youth Expressions you are privileged to a platform to perform at every session that we host,
furthermore you get the opportunity to tour different parts of the country and also the world, which
is something that we are planning to do in the long run. This year we are planning to tour different
parts of the country and grow as an organisation.”
Like most arts organisations, finances constraints are the main challenge, these makes the
organisation to operate with a limited budget when organising shows. “The most important
resource is money because if we have money, we can purchase a high quality sound system
and recording equipment and rent premises or build a mini-theatre. We would also be
able travel to different location in the country”. AYE fund the organisation from
members own pockets and work together with other organisations like , MoAfrika
Vision Trading, Self-Marketing Schemes, Rhythm n' Poetry and JC Reignsto put
shows together .
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AYE just recently hosted its first annual event and event on the 9 of
August (Women's Day) at Rattle Cage. “The community has shown
a lot of support for what we are doing for community, which has
seen us been invited to events to render items” Tom said.
www.megaartists.co.za August 2014 Page 29