The Tshwane Youth Arts Festival is an annual celebration of the arts.  This prestigious event takes place every August/September on the sought after Operat Stage of the State Theatre Pretoria.  For many schools, including dance, drama and art school this event is a permanent entry on their calendars.

If you have not previously participated, we would love to hear from you.

Thank you to all our faithful supporters who have entered and enriched the festival with your consistently great performances and visual art contributions.

Groups from across Gauteng and beyond take part in this festival and audiences are treated to a potpourri of colour, sound, light and rhythm as children representing our diverse cultural heritage perform in an action-paced programme of more than 200 items over a period of 5 weeks.

The Festival is NOT a competition, however, auditions take place to ensure that the high standard of contributions is maintained and at the same time, it is an opportunity for new entrants to meet us in person, ask questions and be better prepared for the event.  HOWEVER

In 2014 we launched an exciting new Revue Competition call KALEIDOSCOPE and it is here to stay.

The Tshwane Youth Arts Festival, founded in 1994, is an annual showcase of the visual and performing arts among school-going children, from pre-primary to Grade 12.

Each year, the organisers are in awe of the creativity, energy, enthusiasm and commitment shown by the learners and their teachers and we extend our appreciation to you, as well as to all the principals, parents and other volunteer supporters who help to make it possible to stage a festival of this magnitude, standard and popularity.

The growth in popularity of the Tshwane Youth Arts Festival is noted over the years. From a humble start in 1994 with 3 600 participants to 2019 with 20000 participants.  Due to the current COVID 19 restrictions, The Tshwane Youth Arts Festival was placed on hold for 2020 and 2021.  However, entries for 2022 are now open and we are excited to be back and performing.  Please follow the LINK for further information.

Our Organisation

The Tshwane Youth Arts Festival team is a dedicated body of skilled individuals focusing on children, giving them inspiration and encouragement to celebrate their talents and broaden their horizons.  We believe it is through the Arts that the people of our beautiful country will come to learn about co-operation, tolerance, peace and harmony.  This in turn leads to a wonderful learning experience and mutual appreciation for the diverse cultures of our country.

CEO-Mary-Lou Cassell

Throughout her life Mary-Lou have been dedicated, committed and enthusiastic.  She has a vast array of skills and talents nurtured from a young age.

Mary-Lou has an incredible insight when working with young people of all ages and cultural groups.  In this, she has realised the objective of the Tshwane Youth Arts Festival to “celebrate” the talents and diversity of our youth.  Her work with the TYAF gives her the opportunity of meeting, encouraging and inspiring thousands of young people.

“Never give up on a powerful dream!  The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.”

Chairperson

 Johann Güldenpfennig

Executive Directors

Faure Bosman (Accountant)

Jacques du Rand – (Principal of Pro Arte Alphen Park)

Gregory Ledige  – (Community Leader – Atteridgeville)

Prof Theo van Wyk (Lecturer at the University of Pretoria)

Marlize Kukkuk (JCC Parent Representative)

Co-opted Members:

Trudie Crouse – (Personal Assistant to CEO)

Stephan Gerick – (JCC Conductor)

Renier Keyser – (Producer –  Add-Life Productions)

Click HERE to order the DVD