Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art
What does your company do?
Sm-art: Supporting Mentorship Through Art is a Transformative Social Enterprise dedicated to Empowering ,Uplifting,Impacting and Educating South Africans in need at Sm-art we focus on harnessing the power of creativity and mentorship but also ensure those in dire need are assisted in our food ,toiletries stationary, blankets and clothing distributions as well as soup kitchens daily. Our mission is to Positively Transform Lives, Spaces , Environments, Communities and Challenges we bridge the gap between artistic talent and sustainable livelihoods, Sm-art innovatively merges all forms of Art into all we do.Particularly for women and children affected by Gender Based Violence from underserved communities we have safe houses and provide free Healthcare Services,Legal Services , food toiletries and clothing and services for all individuals in need .SM-ART has many Environmental Based programmes one of which is renowned at non fees Schools and Schools in Rural area's of South Africa where Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art also initiates food gardens , as well as our Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art water reuse and safe water for drinking purposes programmes.We run various Campaigns which target societal ills faced in our communities eg. our Anti Bullying campaigns ,Don't join Gangs Campaigns and Don't Do Drugs Campaigns across the Cape Flats in Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Communities.This is besides our Sm-art yoga, self defence and sports programmes. Our team of well trained talented passionate Sm-art coaches teach all forms the Arts,Literature,Sports,Yoga and Culture .Our excellently trained teams called #Smartists run many authentic innovative programmes daily with individuals of all ages one example is our how to create and publish children's books with recycled materials programme which promotes Art and Literacy and Upcyling.
Our Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art Impact:
At Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art , we believe that art is not just a form of expression but a catalyst for personal and societal change. We provide comprehensive mentorship programs that encompass:
Creative Development: Offering workshops in Visual Arts, Music, Theatre ,Drama, Poetry, Spoken Word, Dance ,Photography, Sculpture, Capacity Building, Vocational Training, Basic Coding ,Public Speaking, Job Readiness, Digital Media , Financial Literacy and Marketing. Training for aspirant Sm-art coaches are in Children's Safety ,Sport ,Art ,Culture, Self Defence and Literacy to nurture artistic skills and development .We go into impoverished communities of need and along with the community and it's people we embody the spirit of UBUNTU to not only beautify and transform communities with our amazing " Mural Art " but also to transform lives , to change the realities of those in need for the better.
Sm-art focuses on the Professional Growth of the individuals we assist, Facilitating training in business acumen, digital marketing,Marketing and life skills to prepare our participants for the creative economy locally ,internationally and with a main focus on the South
African economy .We teach our participants not only how to set up their own NPO's /NGO's ,NPC's and Businesses but also how to set up their own local Markets ,Market spaces online profiles amongst many other trainings that set them up for success.
Sm-art Community Engagement: At Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art we organise exhibitions ,markets, events and performances that allow communities to showcase their work, create market spaces to sell their work fostering community pride and cohesion.
Our Sm-art events are always in reach of those in need.
Our Supporting Mentorship Through Art approach is also holistic, ensuring that participants not only develop their artistic and creative talents but also gain the tools necessary for economic independence and leadership.At Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art we are passionate about creating future leaders.
In a landscape where many South Africans face limited opportunities, Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art serves as a beacon of hope Upliftment and Empowerment. By integrating mentorship with artistic and creative development, we create pathways for those in need to thrive both creatively and economically. Our programs are tailored to address the unique challenges faced by our participants, ensuring relevance and the greatest proven impact.We integrate Art into all we do eg. SM-ART Art for Mental Health and Therapy uses the creative process to improve mental health and enhance well being.
At Sm-art, we don't just create future artists and creatives we cultivate leaders, rescue communities ,save lives and environments , create innovators, and change makers, we positively authentically and innovatively Uplift ,Impact ,Empower and Educate.We Transform Lives, Spaces ,Challenges, Environments and Communities daily.
What is your biggest success?
As the founder of Sm-art (Supporting Mentorship Through Art), my most significant achievement has been positively transforming the lives of over 100,000 individuals (thus far) from underserved communities in South Africa. Since 2016, I've provided free, accredited education and skills training free workshops and training in all art forms and so much more I've dedicated my life to bettering the lives of others for over 20 years now. My inItial goal was to reach 10 000 people and I have well exceeded that amount.Educating , Empowering ,Uplifting,Impacting marginalized individuals ,Transforming their lives for the better , helping them to pursue opportunities both locally and abroad.I'm also extremely proud to have provided many with their first job experience and to promote ,Sports, Literacy,Culture and all forms of Arts in areas known for high crime rates.all my Campaigns ,Projects,Programmes ,Workshops and Initiatives have not only fostered artistic talent but also offered job readiness programs, environmental awareness ,campaigns which target societal ills, and essential support services like our Sm-art safe houses for women and children affected by GBV, free Legal and Health services, food ,toiletries, clothing and blankets distributions, free accredited and skills courses.I am proud to have been Recognized with 14 Prestigious Awards thus far (coming form a high risk underserved area myself) I am grateful to have been locally, internationally and globally honoured for Sm-art Supporting Mentorship Through Art my Social Enterprise which exemplifies the power of Art as a catalyst for Social Change and Community Upliftment."
What has been your biggest hurdle?
Operating in the most underserved communities has presented formidable challenges. My mission to provide free, accredited education and skills training as well as training in the various art forms and my distribution efforts is often hindered by the pervasive gang violence and crime in these areas especially across the Cape Flats and in Rural area's of need.There have been instances where our community hubs were broken into, resulting in the theft of essential resources, and our teams have faced delays due to safety concerns amidst gang conflicts. These obstacles not only disrupt our programs but also pose significant risks to our staff and participants. Despite these setbacks, we remain steadfast in our commitment to empower marginalized individuals ,communities and spaces through art as it has the power to Transform these challenges so we as Sm-art are continuously adapting our strategies around saftey and security to ensure the safety and continuity of our initiatives."
The biggest hurdles faced in my daily work with Sm-art, requires resilience, grit and dedication required to continue making a positive impact in challenging environments so these environments can have positive transformation.