Arts councils funds Northern Cape projects

TWELVE projects in the Northern Cape have received a total of R2 million funding out of the R28.9 million awarded by the National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) to 181 beneficiaries across the country.

NAC interim chief executive officer, Zolani Mkiva, said at the handover event in Kimberley yesterday that the Northern Cape was allocated funding for three of the five funding programmes.

“Capacity building was funded R350 000, while social cohesion received an allocation of R882 482 and arts platforms was funded R850 000.”

According to Mkiva, in keeping with its mandate to support and develop South Africa’s arts, culture and heritage sector, the NAC had awarded R28.9 million to 181 beneficiaries across the country, an increase of R5 million from the last funding session. “For the 2018 funding cycle, the NAC received 1 341 applications for funding.”

Mkiva, pointed out that it was not just about the disbursement of funds. “It is a part of our journey of undergoing constant and unrelenting transition to cater to the needs of arts and cultural workers and their development. This is our way of enabling and giving support to individuals who will go on to contribute to the industry. Our aim is to fund for impact and do so in a meaningful and sustainable way.”

– Patsy Beangstrom