In 2015 FATC relocated its operations to the rural area of Emakhazeni, Mpumalanga, and established the Ebhudlweni Arts Centre. Situated on a cattle and trout farm just outside of Machadodorp, the Ebhudlweni Arts Centre offers its visitors and residents inspiration from the natural world. It is here that silence, breath-taking views, walking trails, birdsong and waterfalls become active partners in the creative process.
The Ebhudlweni Arts Centre is the base from which FATC rolls out its extensive Artistic and Development and Food Security Programme. The projects housed at the Ebhudlweni Arts Centre include:
My Body My Space: Public Arts Festival
National and International Arts Residency Programmes
Local Education in Arts Programme (LEAP)
Community-Builders Dance Training Programme | Community Builders Applied Arts Programme
Youth in Arts Leadership Programme
The Agri-CULTURE Project
Set in the unique tranquillity of Emakhazeni, The Ebhudlweni Arts Centre is a vibrant hub within the South African and international dance landscape that is dedicated to:
Excellence in artistic research, practice and production
Improved Access to arts education and a variety of arts practices for all
Social transformation and the upliftment of Rural Communities
Following years of operating primarily from Johannesburg, FATC relocated its 20-year-old organisation and programmes to the rural area of Emakhazeni, Mpumalanga; establishing the Ebhudlweni Arts Centre in 2015. The hugely under-resourced & under-served rural community location of Emakhazeni is characterised by a severe scarcity of access to Skills Development Opportunities for Children, Youths, Women and Persons with Disabilities. Responsive to this reality, FATC programmes have positioned to facilitate access-bridging experiences. Resultantly and continuing still, FATC has been able to deliver on its objective to Facilitate, Develop and Advance the role of South African Artists, Arts Organizations, NGOs and Community Based Organizations as progressive and dynamic agents of Personal Development and Societal Transformation.
The Ebhudlweni Arts Centre is completely off the grid. It is dedicated to sustainable GREEN practices and is powered by solar energy and gas. The Centre provides facilities with WIFI in the picturesque setting can be used for artist retreats, focused training programs and mini-conferencing.
Large studio
10M X 13M
Sprung Floor
Ballet Mats
Small studio
6m x 7m
Sprung Floor
Ballet Mats
Deck
In support of FATC’s rigorous Covid-19 protocols the Ebhudlweni Arts Centre installed an outdoor wooden deck to create a safe outdoor workspace for practical and in-person engagements. In addition to its dance class and production rehearsals for the training and MBMS festival programmes the deck has aso been used for events, thanks to its beautiful farm background.
"The Local Emakhazeni Community to which FATC directs its offerings is made up of four towns:
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