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About
PSA has created a platform where art competitions are run digitally. Winning entries are awarded art supplies, cash prizes and where appropriate, mentorship and support programmes are put in place.
The top 12 finalists from this competition were profiled in the PSA 2022 Desk Calendar. The contributions from the sales of these calendars help to support PSA programs.
About People Solutions in Action
PSA was born during the 2020 lockdown, starting of as a way to motivate young learners to create art and distract from the challenges of lockdown. The idea was to utilise a mobile friendly digital platform where creative art competitions could be run.
According to this study on the social impact of COVID-19, mobility, migration and education in South Africa (STATS SA), close to 76% of respondents have smart phones. South Africa may be book poor, but South African learners are smart phone rich. By using the communication platforms that learners identify with, PSA can shift the creative skills narrative that plagues most learners in South Africa.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the skill needed for the future of work, confirm that the ability to be creative and think creatively is a key skill for the workforce of the future, as well as key to fostering innovation. South African schools and particularly those in underprivileged areas do not provide enough opportunity for creative arts activities amongst our learners. The need for more creativity in education is a must.
PSA focuses on driving projects which combine creativity and educational cultural events with technology. We also use art as a tool to uplift communities and promote mental wellbeing amongst the youth. We recognise the role that art plays in healing, self-esteem development and creative thinking skills.
We are committed to developing a community of students who are driven and take charge of their futures, despite the challenges that they may face. To achieve this, PSA offers a mentorship programme for competition winners. Students are linked to creative people in the industry to get guidance on artistic career paths and how to overcome challenges young artists experience. We are grateful to have positively impacted the lives of many students, simply through art. We hope to continue providing the youth with mentorship, art supplies, valuable life skills and creative skills that are essential for our society.
According to this study on the social impact of COVID-19, mobility, migration and education in South Africa (STATS SA), close to 76% of respondents have smart phones. South Africa may be book poor, but South African learners are smart phone rich. By using the communication platforms that learners identify with, PSA can shift the creative skills narrative that plagues most learners in South Africa.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the skill needed for the future of work, confirm that the ability to be creative and think creatively is a key skill for the workforce of the future, as well as key to fostering innovation. South African schools and particularly those in underprivileged areas do not provide enough opportunity for creative arts activities amongst our learners. The need for more creativity in education is a must.
PSA focuses on driving projects which combine creativity and educational cultural events with technology. We also use art as a tool to uplift communities and promote mental wellbeing amongst the youth. We recognise the role that art plays in healing, self-esteem development and creative thinking skills.
We are committed to developing a community of students who are driven and take charge of their futures, despite the challenges that they may face. To achieve this, PSA offers a mentorship programme for competition winners. Students are linked to creative people in the industry to get guidance on artistic career paths and how to overcome challenges young artists experience. We are grateful to have positively impacted the lives of many students, simply through art. We hope to continue providing the youth with mentorship, art supplies, valuable life skills and creative skills that are essential for our society.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Where
How we do this:
1. Running quarterly online art competitions linked to an educational theme.
2. Providing mentoring sessions with skilled creative professionals.
3. Providing art supplies.
4. Building a creative support community to buffer impact of existing context.
5. By utilizing the artwork to create products that can be sold locally and internationally to co-finance our programs.
Our Vision
What is most important to PSA?
1. Imagination
2. Self-care
3. Inclusion
4. Courage
5. Community building
