Description: Artscape Theatre Centre, which belongs to the provincial administration, was opened on 19 May 1971 as the Nico Malan Theatre Centre. The Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) that was instituted in the early 1960’s, programmed and managed the then Nico Malan Theatre Centre as a production house with four arts companies – orchestra, opera, ballet, and drama. These companies had full-time artists, technical and administrative staff. The aim was to promote the performing arts. CAPAB as one of several arts councils, received sufficient government subsidies to fund various art forms as well as the operational requirements of the theatre facilities.

Since 1994 government policy changed dramatically. All performing arts boards were transformed to playhouses and the various arts companies had to become independent. Thus in line with the new South African political dispensation and the concurrent changes, a concert was held to launch Artscape on 27 March 1999 to replace CAPAB, while the name change took official effect circa 2000 . Today it manages the theatre venues and provides essential technical and specialised services on a semi-commercial basis. The emphasis is on sustainable theatre practice, education and development.