Durban Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! === Cultural attractions === There are many museums, art galleries, theatres, and other centres of culture in Durban. The '''African Art Centre''' is "the longest surviving organisation involved in the development and promotion of African artists and crafters", founded in 1960, and moving to a new home in Station Drive in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bereamail.co.za/121259/the-african-art-centre-has-a-new-home/ |title=The African Art Centre has a new home |website= Berea Mail|date=21 November 2017 |access-date=2019-05-23}}</ref> '''Ethekwini Municipal Libraries''' is a free [[public library]] network with 90 circulating branch libraries across the metropolitan area, and the Central Reference Library at the Liberty Towers Building, which includes a significant collection of [[Africana books]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Galleria Mall Municipal Library | website=galleria.co.za | url=https://www.galleria.co.za/businesses/galleria-mall-municipal-library/ | access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> {{anchor|phansi}}<!---redirect targets this anchor--->The '''Phansi Museum''' is located in the historic Roberts House, a 19th-century colonial mansion and former home of Esther Roberts, a librarian and collector of Africana, member and supporter of the [[Black Sash]] anti-apartheid group. The collection and library is now linked to the [[University of KwaZulu-Natal]].<ref>{{cite web | title=ABOUT β PHANSI MUSEUM | website=phansi.com | url=https://phansi.com/about/ | access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> It is one of the most extensive Southern African art museums in the world, founded by Paul Mikula, who purchased artefacts from traditional craftspeople through Southern Africa over 30 years. The collection includes 19th-century [[beadwork]], pottery, carvings, and textiles. Talks and exhibitions are held at the museum.<ref>{{cite web | title=Phansi Museum | website=Museum Explorer SA | date=18 March 2023 | url=https://museumexplorer.co.za/phansi-museum/ | access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> {{anchor|playhouse}}'''The Playhouse Theatre''' is located on Anton Lembede Street (formerly Smith Street). The original building on the site was a cinema built in 1896, which was rebuilt in 1935 in [[Tudor Revival architecture|Tudor Revival]] style. The cinema reopened on 7 June 1935 and finally closed in the 1970s.<ref name=ct/> After being taken over by the Performing Arts Council in the 1980s,<ref name=cityseeker>{{cite web | title=The Playhouse, Durban | website=cityseeker | url=https://cityseeker.com/durban/214517-the-playhouse | access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> the building was restored in 1985β6, and with the former Colosseum Theatre (or Prince's Theatre) is now a [[performing arts]] centre with five venues. The refurbishment architects, Small & Pettit & Robson, were awarded the 1987 Institute of South African Architects Natal Award of Merit for the work.<ref name=ct>{{cite web | title=Playhouse Theatre in Durban, ZA | website=Cinema Treasures | url=https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/12685 | access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Playhouse details | website=artefacts.co.za | url=https://artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes_mob.php?bldgid=3502 | access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> home to the Playhouse Theatre Company.<ref>{{cite web | title=home| website= The Playhouse Company | date=13 July 2023 | url=https://playhousecompany.com/ | access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> The company's mission is "is to provide cultural education and entertainment in both an African and international context" and, apart from drama and dance performances, the company runs an educational program and presents theatre to schools.<ref name=cityseeker/> The Playhouse has been a venue for staging the work of many famous South African playwrights, including [[Mbongeni Ngema]], <ref name=filmbio>{{cite web|url=https://www.sarafina.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Sarafina_presskit_2023.pdf| title= Sarafina: Mbongeni Ngema: Biography}}</ref> and in October 2023 there was a casting call for a new musical entitled ''From Gibson Kente to Mbongeni Ngema'', to celebrate the works and influence of [[Gibson Kente]] and Ngema.<ref>{{cite web | title=Open call: The Playhouse Company auditions in SA | website=Music In Africa | date=19 October 2023 | url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/open-call-playhouse-company-auditions-sa | access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> Other significant cultural attractions include: * [[Durban Art Gallery]] * [[KZNSA - KwaZulu Natal Society of Arts]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kznia.org.za/durban-city-guide/late-modern/kznsa-gallery|title=KZNSA Gallery {{!}} The KwaZulu-Natal Institute for Architecture|website=www.kznia.org.za|access-date=2019-05-23}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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