Our Vision
To offer a safe space for creativity where diversity is embraced and self-esteem is developed.
Our Mission
Growing and developing creativity by exploring activities to stimulate the imagination.
Developing a holistic child through creative teaching to embrace inclusivity through the arts
The history of The Children's Art Centre
Our Beginning 1945
The Art Centre was the initial idea of Mr George Veldsman, headmaster of St. Philips School. At the time, youngsters were troublesome in the streets and there was talk of more reformatories. In 1945 George Veldsman met with Sydney McKie and Ursula Strydom, teachers at the school and together they decided to do something about the problem. It was agreed to use the school and 13 teachers volunteered to instruct children in whichever activity the teacher was competent.
Activities included painting, needlework, clay-modelling and boxing, to name but a few. Thus 300 children began working in classrooms, and in the school hall – every week redirecting surplus energy into creative activity.
Year 1949
The Rotary Club donated towards the start of work and later the education authorities supplied some materials. After one year’s work the children’s paintings were exhibited in the Argus Gallery in Burg Street. The Education Department, finally in 1949 recognised the immense potential of an Art Centre, the first of its kind, to be a means of self-expression for Cape Town’s less privileged children.
Year 1950
As early as 1950, the Art Centre was housed in a wonderful old building (recently disclosed to have previously been a synagogue) in Victoria Walk Woodstock.
Teaching was of an outstanding quality, the Principal was Sydney McKie, and the teachers, Ursula Strydom, Vernon Fisher, Esther Perkins and Joan Lawrence, and they catered for everyone:
Grade R to Grade 12 – visual arts and crafts
Evening classes for adults offered painting, drawing and ceramics
Saturday classes for those unable to attend during the week
In-service teacher training programmes
Year 1970
The Art Centre’s predicament was brought to the attention of a wonderful man, the Rev. John Forbes (later to become the Dean of Pietermaritzburg), at the time John Forbes was the Warden and Estate Manager of Zonnebloem. It was he who came to the rescue of the Art Centre, then headed by August J. Hopley, assisted by Vernon Fischer and Manora Isaacs, the Art Centre took up residence in a 3 room prefabricated building on the Zonnebloem Estate. Austere conditions aside – no running water and storage cupboards in the studios – the Art School survived and we returned to District Six.
Year 1986
Due to financial constraints, we merged with the Battswood Art Centre, losing our autonomy; we are now a satellite campus of Battswood Art Centre.
Year 1997
Mr Mills, the Estate Manager of the Zonnebloem Estate, granted the Art Centre – another prefabricated building, which comprises of 3 large studios with ablution facilities.
Year 2011
Ayesha Price was appointed as the first Principal after our autonomy was reached.
Year 2016
Berenice Carelse-Plato was appointed Principal at the Art Centre and we have 7 educators teaching approximately 2300 learners from 6 primary schools in the immediate vicinity, and 1 high school. We are Governed by the Western Cape Education Department.
Today
We are involved in the following programmes: Outreach IMBALI programme at Kylemore/Stellenbosch, Mentorship programme at New Fields Primary, In-service teacher training, PGCE training, Programmes for Montessori Educators, Annual Exhibitions at school (FET & GET), Iziko, Irma Stern, Zeitz and Norval Foundation excursions.
Ursula Reines Remembered
Ms Ursula Reines who was one of the founder members of The Children’s Art Centre, had bequeathed a sum of money to the art school as part of her legacy and dedication to Arts education for young people from more disadvantaged backgrounds and social challenges.
The staff of the Art Centre decided to create a memorial in honour of her in the form of a beautiful brick and mortar bench which was beautifully decorated with stenciling and mosaic by the staff of the centre.
We remain eternally grateful for her kindness.