The Long Run

Long Run Alliance Member

NIROX Foundation

Location: South Africa

http://www.niroxarts.com Book Now

An artists’ paradise set on 15 hectares of an extensive nature reserve in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and conveniently located just 45 minutes outside of Johannesburg. It is committed to the advancement of Africa’s place in the global contemporary arts and provides artists with a residence decked with prolific waterways that add to its aesthetic appeal.

About

Looking at NIROX today it is hard to believe that this 15 hectare piece bordered to its north by the beautiful Blauwbankspruit River was once a trout farm. Its former concrete pools and dams have been replaced by sweeping green vistas, tranquil pools and extensive planting. It was established by G.B. Liebmann in 2006 and is today a world renowned art complex whose idyllic gardens serve as a source of rejuvenation and inspiration for resident artists.

This unique institution offers the ultimate platform for inter-cultural exchanges. It provides residency to internationally acclaimed artists, providing insight and access to the region’s extraordinary heritage and vibrant socio-political development, and interaction with local artists and artisans. Artists in the programme have the opportunity to apply themselves to their work without distraction, inspired by their breathtaking surroundings. It hosts artists from all genres ranging from Visual to Musical and Literary to Thespian artists who are encouraged to interact.

This artists’ Mecca provides comfortable and generous facilities comprising a large principal residence, a separate self contained cottage, 3 large studios, and a lawn amphitheatre and stage for performances, set in extensive gardens and waterways. Residents enjoy access to the surrounding 1200 hectare Khatlhampi Private Reserve offering extensive walks and game trails through unspoiled grasslands, valleys and woods populated with indigenous game including zebra and antelope.

NIROX is situated in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind made up of 47,000 hectares of rural landscape listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, on account of its extraordinary paleontological treasures and natural landscape. Being in an area of such high conservation importance, NIROX manages the populations of wild animals and ensures the preservation of their natural habitats. It achieves this by controlling the spread of alien invasive plant species which if left unchecked, will have adverse effects on indigenous plant and animal species.

NIROX is also exploring what is arguably the most interesting and innovative conservation project yet. Working with artist and environmentalist Thomas Mulcaire, it plans to install a cohesive system and artwork – ICEPAC – which, in its ultimate incarnation, will compositely provide all its energy needs from solar, water and wind sources already extant on the land. This installation will be publicly displayed and used as a demonstration of the potential for sustainable energy efficiency. This exciting initiative is still in the fundraising phase but will no doubt put NIROX at the forefront of sustainability by displaying the synergies between art, science and sustainability.

NIROX is in constant communication with its neighbours and continually reaches out to the wider community to address issues such as health, politics and social-awareness. NIROX offers free tours of its premises and the surrounding reserve to local school children to educate them on the ecological assets and sensitivities of the areas. It is also promoting the establishment of a Room 13 dedicated to the creative arts at the local school to further engage students in the arts.

It is engaged in a number of other projects spurred from interactions with the local Management Authority in the area which include management of traffic through the area to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and creation of roadside landscaping to improve the appearance of the area and facilitate public art for the benefit of international and local visitors to the Cradle.

NIROX has a partnership with The Witwatersrand University to foster multi-level engagement between international visiting artists and local arts communities; as well as promoting interaction between artists and scientists – particularly those engaged with the interrogation of our natural resources and our human origins.

As a centre for the Arts, it is only fitting that NIROX be at the forefront of efforts supporting cultural exchange and understanding. Exposure to different cultures is fundamental to its purpose and it actively promotes these values through maintaining excellent working relations with the local universities, artist’s collectives, artists, commercial galleries and foreign country culture desks.

Its remit extends to all of the arts – visual, tactile, film, sound, music, dance, literature etc. Since its inception artists from all disciplines and from many different countries have sought residency. Residents typically interact with local artists, expanding their horizons and developing understanding of local culture.

Artists who reside at NIROX are fully immersed in the local way of life and the local arts scene. It serves local cuisine on request and provides guided tours to local villages and communities further educating and exposing visiting artists to local culture.

NIROX was integral in founding “Arts On Main”, a unique blend of studio, commercial, residential and retail spaces in the Johannesburg central business district. Arts On Main is a hub for Johannesburg's creative community to develop and share ideas and exchange cultural concepts. NIROX maintains an exhibition and residency space on site at Arts On Main in which local artists, particularly NIROX residents, can be exposed to international and local visitors, further improving intercultural exchange.

The residency program is fully funded by NIROX, which continues to evolve its income generating strategies to fund its activities. These include commissioning of sculptures for sale, hosting exhibitions by commercial galleries and independent curators, hosting arts related events and functions and providing a location for photography and film shoots.

NIROX conducts a development program for curators aimed at advancing skills and curatorial opportunities for aspiring young curators.

It has set up special capacity building programmes for its staff and encourages skills development. It provides financial rewards to those who emerge from these programmes successful. Currently it has programmes that offer training in vehicle and machine maintenance and repair, horticulture, irrigation, general management and public relations (tourism). Its motivation is to enable and advance staff capability and self-fulfilment.