Thuthuka Jewellery Development Programme is a unique design intervention partnered with The Department of Arts and Culture, upskilling existing young jewellers in community jewellery schools and tertiary institutions to become contemporary designers. We are providing inspiration and support for creative hands and minds. But creativity also needs practicality and hard work to yield tangible results
. And talent needs the skills and tools to develop a sustainable career and livelihood. Jewellery is a plausible way of making art with economic viability. It poses creative and conceptual challenges, and has an immediate market. It even has a built-in sibling - fashion. At Thuthuka we take a practical approach to jewellery skills development, combining focussed one-to-one mentoring with entrepreneurial business basics. This equips aspiring jewellers with the tools they need to be successful in the trade. Thuthuka has united a team of enthusiastic individuals to fast track skills acquisition in emergent young jewellers. Our mentors are skilled local and international professionals, and our chief mentor was the recipient of the 2009 Arts and Culture Trust Award for excellence in jewellery design. The team challenges learners to excel and helps them refine their concepts. They focus on the commercial viability, technical and design competence, with a keen eye on originality.
