Govt unveils $ 10m relief fund for artists

GOVERNMENT has unveiled a $10 million Covid-19 Relief Fund for artists that have been affected by the devastating global pandemic.

The facility is an initiative of President Mnangagwa.

Artists that meet prescribed requirements will access the funds.

Applications for the Fund are made through the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.

Due date for application is July 30. Addressing the media, Acting Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister, Professor Paul Mavima, said application forms could be obtained and submitted at provincial and district offices, including the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

The forms can also be downloaded from the ministry’s website.

“The ministry notes that the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has brought an unexpected break to the flow in the entire ecosystem of creative industries and sports in the country. This sudden cessation of programs and scheduling of events have had a direct sting on the major products of industries,” he said.

“This is a temporary intervention while broad and sustainable interventions will be worked on for the two industries.”

Prof Mavima said the vetting process will start as soon as artists and organisations submitted their proposals.

Beneficiaries should be practicing artists who have been performing in the past two years; cultural and creative industry practitioners living and working in Zimbabwe for the past two years.

Institutions and projects with an impact at national or provincial level will be prioritised and applicants must not be employees, board members or immediate family members of the ministry, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe or the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Prof Mavima said individual artists will pocket $5 000 each while registered organisations and social organisations in the sector will get $7 500 if they meet the criteria.

“Registered Arts Associations, organisations, groups and production houses such as (theatre, dance, film and music, among others) are set to benefit.

“Individual artists who demonstrated the effect of Covid-19 on their practices, registered arts centres, spaces, hubs or galleries and arts and culture education institutions will also get the funding,” he said.