NAC, artists funding saga has gone on far too long
THE ONGOING National Arts Council (NAC) Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme fund saga seems like a never-ending broken telephone game.
What first seemed like a saving grace to artists and creatives has now turned into a nightmare for those who thought they would have received some kind of relief by now.
The purpose of the fund was to relieve arts, culture and heritage practitioners who have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The R300 million fund was separated into two streams, one as a wage subsidy for arts organisations and small businesses that wish to retain existing staff or contractors.
The second stream was an open call for project proposals, with a focus on funding new arts or creative projects that will create freelance jobs in the sector.
The obstacles that have been blocking these payouts include two NAC chief executives’ alleged mismanagement of funds that have set the process back and resulted in overpayments to some applicants.
Applicants who were approved were then expected to sign new or updated grant notification letters in order to receive payments within 72 hours.
But somewhere along the process – between Zoom meetings and press releases – there was a communication breakdown between the council and artists who have been desperate to receive some kind of funding.
But how did it all go wrong? Why is there so much miscommunication between the people who are in desperate need of a lifeline to survive and the body that has been tasked with providing these funds?
The situation has been exasperated by the virus and the hard lockdown that has rendered many artists completely broke. There is great desperation from artists, who have been dealt the most extreme financial blow throughout this pandemic.
It also doesn’t help that there is little faith in the department that is meant to put creatives first.
While the NAC sent out media statements to remedy the situation and keep artists and the media in the loop of what has been happening with the fund and the way forward, artists took a stance and staged a sit-in at the offices at the beginning of March.
Opera singer Sibongile Mngoma has been the voice of the artists, who have declared that they will not move from the NAC offices until they receive the answers and information they need about the fund.
However, as the NAC moves into the new financial year, there are other grants that need to be pronounced and for that to happen, staff need to be able to come in and work.
If the paper trail of this fund is not fixed, if contracts are not signed on time, then there might not be any money at all to give to applicants who have been patiently waiting for this lifeline.
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