SA art scene gets R26m from council

In keeping with its mandate to support and develop SA’s arts, culture and heritage sector, the National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) has approved R26 million in funding for beneficiaries across the country.

For the 2019 project funding cycle, the NAC received 1 416 applications.

However, in considering its extended value chain, the NAC has introduced a programmatic approach to funding. Now, all grants are to be located within specified programmes, instead of according to individual disciplines.

This year, the five NAC programmes (social cohesion and nation building; capacity building; innovation, design and creation of new works; arts platforms and strategic initiatives) were allocated R5.2 million each.

NAC chief executive Rosemary Mangope said: “In order to achieve our goal of changing the landscape of South Africa’s cultural and creative industries, the NAC is undergoing constant and unrelenting transition to cater to the needs of arts and cultural practitioners and their development.

“Our aim is to fund for impact and do so in a meaningful and sustainable way.

“To help us achieve this, past beneficiaries will be paired with new, emerging ones where necessary to ensure that they learn from the experiences of others and thereby improve their skills.”

Successful beneficiaries are encouraged to report to the NAC on a regular basis, reflecting their revised project activity plans.

Recipients are also encouraged to adhere to the contract they signed with the NAC.

Letters will be sent to successful beneficiaries and their names will be published on the NAC website. –