FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 08 December 2022
The Arts & Culture Trust Thuthukisani Programme cycle 3 applications close on 17 January 2023
Arts business owners and independent artists based in Gauteng, the Free State and the Western Cape are reminded that applications for the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Thuthukisani Programme cycle 3, supported by Nedbank, are now open and will close on 17 January 2023. Application forms are available online at https://act.org.za/thuthukisani/ and outcomes are expected to be announced around mid-February 2023. Training is provisionally scheduled to start at the end of February 2023.
Thuthukisani is a business development programme that was started to empower a selected group of artists to implement and execute their chosen projects in a strategic and sustainable way. Seven applicants from each of the provinces will receive training. After training and mentorship have been completed, all participants will pitch their projects for the opportunity to receive a cash investment. Only projects with merit and viability will be eligible for potential cash investment and ongoing mentorship for the duration of the project.
The roll-out of the programme takes place in three cycles, with applicants from three pre-determined provinces per cycle invited. Cycle 1, covering Limpopo, the North West and Mpumalanga has been completed, and cycle 2, covering the Eastern Cape, the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal is in its final stages.
To be considered for selection in cycle 3, applicants must meet all the stipulated criteria. Only South African citizens with projects taking place in South Africa may apply. Arts organisations and individuals must carry on an active, registered and compliant arts business in terms of the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission and the South African Revenue Service requirements.
An ‘arts business’ in this instance refers to an entity that operates within the disciplines of visual arts, performing arts, music and literature. If applying in a music or film capacity, the content, theme or subject matter must have arts and culture at its core. For example, music videos or documentaries about animals are not eligible.
It is also important for applicants to know that project plans or ideas need to be further developed, executed and generate income within 90 days. Participants must strictly comply with and attend all training and mentorship sessions.
ACT Chief Executive Officer Jessica Denyschen says: ‘The name of the programme, Thuthukisani, is taken from the isiZulu verb ‘thuthukisa’, meaning ‘to develop’. The Trust is proud to offer applicants from the three provinces within cycle 3 the opportunity to develop themselves as entrepreneurs and to apply their newly gained skills in the development of their business. Since the application process has stared on 3 November 2022, we are encouraged by the number of applicants who have applied for the Thuthukisani Programme, and we urge arts entrepreneurs in Gauteng, the Free State and the Western Cape to make their application for this exciting programme before 17 January 2023.’
Tobie Badenhorst, Head of Group Sponsorships and Cause Marketing at Nedbank, says that the ‘Nedbank Arts Affinity, through the ACT, has supported many different arts projects over the years. But what we found is that if the artists and arts business owners don’t have the appropriate business and entrepreneurial skills, they struggle to make ends meet. The ACT Thuthukisani Programme is aimed at addressing this, and we are excited to see who will apply from the three provinces.’
The allocation of programme slots is at the discretion of the ACT. The decision on all applications for participation is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
To keep in touch with the Arts & Culture Trust, please visit the ACT website, follow them on Twitter or like their Facebook page.
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Over 28 years of arts support
The ACT is South Africa’s premier independent development and arts investment organisation. The primary aim of ACT is to increase the capacity for arts and culture initiatives to create sustainable futures, through development and investment in innovative, sustainable projects that make a meaningful contribution to society. Through structured development programmes, ACT provides support to all expressions of arts and culture, including literature, music, visual art, theatre and dance, and the support extends to festivals, community arts initiatives, arts management, arts education as well as arts administration. For more information, please visit the ACT website, follow them on Twitter or like their Facebook page.
ABOUT NEDBANK
In partnership with ACT, the Nedbank Arts Affinity has donated more than R28 million over 28 years to support over 830 arts, culture, and heritage development projects countrywide. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of talented young artists in South Africa, simply link your Nedbank Greenbacks to the Arts Affinity and Nedbank will donate money to ACT, at no cost to you. The Arts Affinity currently supports the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, the ACT Thuthukisani Programme and the ACT Tlholo Project. For more information, visit any Nedbank branch, call us on 0860 555 111 or visit nedbankarts.co.za.