Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Call for ACT scholarship proposals
IT’S all systems go as the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) opens the stage for proposals by individuals to join the upcoming ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) as programme facilitators or mentors.
The ACT seeks programme personnel to support the NSP across four positions – as a visual and digital arts mentor, a performing arts assistant mentor, a stage manager and an artistic director.
The ACT NSP is an undergraduate scholarship initiative designed to empower qualifying youth with opportunities to pursue tertiary education in visual and performing arts.
The programme is beneficial to current artists to equip them with skills to ensure sustainable career-acceleration, providing informative decision-making and workplace readiness in the cultural and creative industries.
CEO of ACT, Jessica Denyschen, said: “ACT is actively seeking dynamic individuals who are not only passionate about the arts but are also dedicated to the development, training, and mentorship of young artists.
“We are specifically looking for programme personnel who embody creative excellence in their fields and possess a knack for innovating with art forms and the application of digital or immersive technologies in performing and visual arts mediums.
“Crucial to our mission is the exploration of employability opportunities for young creatives. Our goal is to empower the next generation of talented artists through the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme and we are inviting high-performance artists to join us in making a lasting impact on the cultural and creative industries.”
This year’s iteration comprises two components: the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme and the ACT Nyoloha Training Programme.
The programme previously offered solely a scholarship programme to equip youth with a tertiary education, but this year ACT expanded its offering to include the ACT Nyoloha Training Programme, which offers no-cost training to a select group of excellent artists who do not intend to pursue a formal tertiary education.
The selected 15 candidates will engage in a three-month bi-weekly mentorship and training programme, conducted online on Saturdays. The programme includes online training and mentorship with industry experts, with a focus on discipline-specific knowledge and information.
Applicants will need to submit proposals and other supporting documents such as a CV, portfolio of previous works, and reference letters to apply, depending on the vacant position they are applying for.
The 2024 iteration of the programme will encompass a strong focus on the inclusion of immersive technologies in the visual and performing arts.
The application deadline is April 12 at 4.30pm. Apply via the ACT website on www.act.org.za/nyoloharfp.