Introduction
The International Public Art Festival (IPAF) is Africa's largest annual public art festival, transforming urban spaces through mural art, installations, and community engagement. Launched in 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa, IPAF brings together local and international artists to create large-scale public artworks that address social issues, celebrate local culture, and revitalize neighborhoods.
Organized by Baz-Art, a non-profit organization dedicated to using public art as a tool for social change, the festival has become an important platform for public art in Africa. By creating accessible cultural experiences while contributing to urban regeneration, IPAF demonstrates the power of art to transform not only physical spaces but also communities and perceptions.
In the News
Current coverage of the International Public Art Festival
Salt River Rising: How Street Art Transformed a Cape Town Neighborhood
A decade ago, Salt River was an overlooked industrial area in Cape Town's urban landscape—a neighborhood with rich history but fading prospects, bypassed by tourists and investors alike. Today, visitors armed with maps and smartphones navigate its narrow streets, cameras poised to capture vibrant murals that stretch across building facades. Cafés have opened in former warehouses, local tour guides lead groups through color-drenched alleyways, and property values have risen. This transformation didn't happen by accident; it's the direct result of a deliberate artistic intervention that began in 2017 with the inaugural International Public Art Festival (IPAF).
"When we first identified Salt River as the location for IPAF, many people questioned the choice," recalls Alexandre Tilmans, co-founder of Baz-Art, the non-profit organization behind the festival. "They saw an industrial neighborhood with infrastructure challenges, not a canvas for creative expression. But we saw something different—a community with incredible character, historical significance, and buildings that were perfect for large-scale murals."
That vision wasn't just artistic but strategic. Salt River, situated just east of Cape Town's city center, had strong bones: a rich multicultural history, distinctive Cape Malay architecture, and a resilient community that had weathered apartheid-era forced removals, industrial decline, and gentrification pressures. What it lacked was visibility and investment. The festival organizers hypothesized that street art could serve as both beautification and economic catalyst—an approach that had worked in urban neighborhoods from Miami's Wynwood to Bogotá's La Candelaria.
The first edition in 2017 brought together 10 international and local artists who created murals exploring the theme of "Art in the Urban Space." The works reflected Salt River's diversity and history while addressing contemporary issues like sustainability and social justice. Community engagement was central from the beginning—artists worked with local residents, conducted workshops with neighborhood children, and incorporated local stories into their imagery.
"That first year was about proving the concept," explains Melissa Cucci, IPAF's festival director. "We wanted to show that public art could meaningfully impact a neighborhood while respecting its existing character. We were conscious of not becoming agents of displacement or tone-deaf beautification."
The festival's approach addressed a common critique of public art initiatives—that they can become inadvertent drivers of gentrification, making neighborhoods more appealing to outsiders but eventually pricing out original residents. IPAF's strategy involved deep community collaboration, ensuring that local businesses benefited from increased tourism, providing skills training for residents, and creating year-round programming that served neighborhood needs.
Nadia Agherdine, who grew up in Salt River and now serves as IPAF's community liaison, emphasizes this point: "For this to work, it couldn't be art imposed on the community. Each year, we've hosted community meetings where residents can meet artists, discuss themes, and even suggest walls for murals. We've trained local youth as tour guides, worked with schools on arts education, and partnered with neighborhood businesses to create economic opportunities."
The results have been remarkable. By 2023, over 100 murals transformed Salt River's landscape, created by artists from 28 countries alongside South African talent. The works range from massive building-sized pieces visible from major roads to intimate works tucked into side streets. They explore themes from environmental conservation and African identity to human rights and local folklore. Most importantly, they've changed how people interact with the neighborhood.
Tourism has increased significantly, with several companies now offering dedicated street art tours. Local entrepreneurs have established cafés, craft shops, and galleries catering to visitors. Property values have risen—a mixed blessing that the festival organizers monitor carefully, working with community organizations to advocate for affordable housing and support longtime residents.
"We're seeing economic benefits, but we're vigilant about potential negative impacts," says Tilmans. "The goal isn't gentrification but revitalization that benefits existing residents first. We measure success not just in visitor numbers but in community outcomes—jobs created, young people trained, local businesses supported."
The Salt River transformation has become a case study in how public art can drive inclusive urban regeneration. Researchers from the University of Cape Town have documented the social and economic impacts, while urban planners from other African cities have visited to learn from the model. As Cape Town grapples with stark inequality and spatial segregation—legacies of apartheid still visible in its urban geography—IPAF offers a small but significant example of how creative interventions can help bridge divides.
Looking toward the 2025 edition, themed "Humanity in Harmony," the festival continues to evolve. Programming now includes augmented reality components that bring murals to life through smartphone apps, collaborations with environmental organizations to use eco-friendly materials, and partnerships with African biennales to create continental connections. Yet the core mission remains consistent: using art to transform public space in ways that celebrate community identity while creating new possibilities.
"The walls of Salt River tell a story of transformation," reflects Dennis Molewa, IPAF's artistic director. "Not just of a neighborhood changing physically, but of perceptions shifting, of a community seeing itself reflected in public space, of boundaries between 'art neighborhoods' and 'ordinary neighborhoods' dissolving. In a country still dealing with spatial and economic divides, that might be the most important artwork of all."
Artistic Vision & Themes
Each edition of the International Public Art Festival is organized around a central theme that provides a framework for artists to address social, environmental, or cultural issues through their work. These themes reflect contemporary concerns and aspirations, creating a cohesive narrative that resonates with local communities and visitors alike.
The 2025 edition, titled "Humanity in Harmony," will explore themes of social cohesion, environmental sustainability, and cultural connection in an increasingly fragmented world. Artists will be invited to create works that imagine new possibilities for harmony between diverse communities, between humans and nature, and between tradition and innovation.
Throughout its history, IPAF has maintained a strong commitment to community engagement and social impact. The festival's approach goes beyond aesthetic transformation to address issues such as economic opportunity, education, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness. By involving local residents in the creative process and creating lasting artworks that reflect community values and experiences, IPAF demonstrates how public art can serve as a catalyst for positive change.
The artistic vision of IPAF is distinguished by its focus on accessibility and relevance. Unlike traditional gallery-based exhibitions, the festival brings art directly into public spaces where it can be encountered in everyday life. This democratization of art is coupled with a curatorial approach that values both artistic excellence and local resonance, creating works that can be appreciated on multiple levels by diverse audiences.
History & Legacy
The International Public Art Festival was established in 2017 by Baz-Art, a non-profit organization dedicated to using public art as a tool for social change. The festival was initially created to transform the Salt River neighborhood in Cape Town, bringing art into everyday spaces and making it accessible to all community members.
Since its inception, IPAF has grown in scale and impact, expanding its geographical reach and thematic scope while maintaining its community-centered approach. The festival emerged during a period of growing global interest in street art and mural festivals, but with a distinctive focus on social engagement and urban regeneration in the African context.
IPAF's legacy extends beyond the physical murals that remain after each festival. The event has contributed to changing perceptions of street art in South Africa, moving it from being viewed primarily as graffiti to being recognized as a legitimate and powerful form of cultural expression. It has provided platforms for emerging South African artists to gain visibility alongside international contemporaries, and has influenced urban planning approaches in Cape Town and beyond.
Inaugural International Public Art Festival established in Salt River, Cape Town with the theme "Art in the Urban Space"
"Nature Doesn't Need Us, We Need Nature" addressed environmental themes and ecological awareness
"Generation Next: Educate, Collaborate, Empower" focused on youth and education as drivers of social change
"Digitalisation and Its Effects on our Environmental Development" explored technology, society, and nature
"Humanity" examined human connection in the wake of global isolation during the pandemic
"Reconnect: Return to Self" explored identity and personal renewal in a post-pandemic world
"Voices of the Future" centered youth perspectives and intergenerational dialogue
"Humanity in Harmony" will explore social cohesion, sustainability, and cultural connection
From the Art World
Contemporary art news and visual culture from leading sources
Sources: Hyperallergic • ARTnews • This is Colossal
Featured Murals
The International Public Art Festival showcases a diverse range of murals and installations created by local and international artists. Each artwork transforms urban space while engaging with the festival's theme and the specific context of its location. Here are some standout works from recent editions that exemplify the festival's artistic vision and impact.
Unity in Diversity
By Claire Falkenberg (Canada) | 2023
A vibrant celebration of South Africa's multicultural identity, featuring symbolic representations of different cultural traditions unified through shared humanity.
Tomorrow's Keepers
By Fuzzy Slipperz (South Africa) | 2024
A powerful environmental statement depicting children nurturing endangered species, highlighting the responsibility of future generations to protect biodiversity.
Digital Dreams
By Argiris Ser (Greece) | 2023
An exploration of the intersection between traditional African storytelling and digital technology, rendered in geometric patterns and vibrant colors.
Maternal Earth
By Faith XLVII (South Africa) | 2022
A monumental portrait of a South African woman whose facial features blend with topographical elements, symbolizing the deep connection between people and land.
Watershed Moment
By Dbongz Mahlathi (South Africa) | 2024
Addressing Cape Town's water crisis through powerful imagery that combines drought symbolism with hopeful visions of community resilience and conservation.
Intergenerational Wisdom
By Seth Pimentel (South Africa) | 2024
A dialogue between youth and elders depicted through interconnected portraits, exploring knowledge transfer and cultural continuity in contemporary Africa.
Impact & Community
The International Public Art Festival goes beyond creating beautiful murals to generate meaningful social and economic impact in the communities it serves. Through its multifaceted approach, IPAF addresses issues such as urban regeneration, skills development, cultural tourism, and social cohesion.
The festival's impact includes tangible outcomes such as increased tourism to previously overlooked neighborhoods, creation of jobs in the creative and tourism sectors, skills development through workshops and apprenticeships, and transformation of public spaces. Equally important are intangible outcomes such as strengthened community pride, preservation of local stories and heritage, and changing perceptions of neighborhoods.
Community engagement is central to IPAF's approach, with local residents involved at every stage of the process. Before the festival, community consultations help shape themes and identify suitable locations. During the festival, residents participate in workshops, tours, and collaborative art projects. After the festival, ongoing programs help maintain artworks and continue engagement with public art.
Research conducted by the University of Cape Town has documented significant economic benefits from the festival, including a 24% increase in visitors to the Salt River area and the creation of over 30 permanent jobs in tourism and hospitality. Local businesses report an average 15% increase in revenue during the festival period, with some effects continuing throughout the year due to ongoing art tours.
The festival's impact extends to educational outcomes as well. School programs associated with IPAF have reached over 5,000 students since 2017, introducing them to careers in the creative industries and using art as a tool for learning across subjects. Youth mentorship programs have helped 45 young people from underserved communities gain skills in mural production, tour guiding, and arts administration.
Festival Experience
Experience the dynamic atmosphere of the International Public Art Festival through this video showcasing the creation of murals, community interactions, and the transformation of urban spaces in Cape Town's Salt River neighborhood.
Video: International Public Art Festival | Watch on YouTube
Key People
The International Public Art Festival brings together a diverse team of artists, organizers, and community facilitators who work collaboratively to create meaningful public art experiences. Each brings unique expertise and perspective to the festival's development and execution.
Alexandre Tilmans
Visionary behind IPAF with 15+ years in cultural development and urban regeneration projects across Africa.
Melissa Cucci
Experienced arts administrator who oversees festival operations, artist relations, and strategic partnerships.
Nadia Agherdine
Salt River native who facilitates relationships between artists and local community, ensuring meaningful engagement.
Dennis Molewa
Curator and artist who shapes the festival's creative vision and selects participating artists from across the globe.
Festival Route
The International Public Art Festival takes place primarily in Salt River, Cape Town, with artworks distributed throughout the neighborhood. The festival provides maps and guided tours to help visitors navigate between murals and installations. The route is designed to be walkable, with major works concentrated within a 2km radius.
- Festival Hub - 22 Brickfield Road, Salt River (information center, workshops, and guided tour departures)
- Salt River Market - Major concentration of murals at this historic trading site
- Spencer Road - Urban art corridor featuring works from multiple festival editions
- Shelley Road Primary School - Location of community-created educational murals
- Salt River Train Station - Gateway murals welcoming visitors to the neighborhood
- Albert Road - Main commercial street with numerous façade installations and murals
Cape Town City Guide
Navigate South Africa's Mother City like a creative insider with our curated guide to Cape Town's art districts, cultural hotspots, and vibrant neighborhoods beyond the festival zone.
Creative hub with galleries and design shops
Steampunk café with artistic interior
Africa's largest contemporary art museum
Outdoor sculpture walk along the Atlantic
Art Districts
- 📍 Woodstock: Industrial area transformed by street art and galleries
- 📍 V&A Waterfront: Zeitz MOCAA museum and contemporary galleries
- 📍 Bo-Kaap: Historic neighborhood with colorful houses and cultural museums
- 📍 Observatory: Bohemian district with independent galleries and artist studios
Local Tips
The MyCiti bus connects most art districts, with a stop near Salt River. First Thursdays (monthly) offers late-night gallery openings in the city center. February brings perfect weather for outdoor art exploration, but bring sunscreen and water. Consider combining your IPAF visit with the Cape Town Art Fair, which often overlaps with the festival.