FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 16 MARCH 2023
Arts & Culture Trust extends the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme deadline to 31 March 2023
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP), a partnership between ACT and the Nedbank Arts Affinity, sponsored by Nedbank, Sun International and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), was received with an overwhelming response. As word has spread throughout the country, more and more young artists want to apply for the programme, and the good news is that the deadline for applications has been extended to 31 March 2023.
To help applicants and make the process easier, the application form was simplified. You now need fewer supporting documents to apply and the application fee was also waived, allowing those who experience financial hardship to apply as well. Applicants who have already paid their application fees will be reimbursed in full.
Because equal participation in the programme is paramount, applicants don’t have to attend school to apply, but matriculants with university exemption and young people between the ages of 17 and 25 who want to study towards a degree in performing, visual or digital arts starting in the 2024 academic year are encouraged to apply as soon as possible on the ACT website at act.org.za/nyoloha. Applicants who are younger than 18 will need their parents’ or guardians’ consent to apply.
Applicants in the visual and digital arts category must submit a portfolio with four of their artworks, and applicants in the performing arts category must submit two audition videos that meet certain criteria. Professional artists (full-time employed artists), youth who are already registered and studying at a tertiary or an accredited institution and those who already have a degree in the arts can unfortunately not apply for the programme.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for virtual interviews via Zoom and 75 applicants who pass the audition phase will then participate in a biweekly professional mentorship and training programme on Saturdays for three months so that it doesn’t interfere with school or work. The programme consists of online training and mentorship with industry experts, and the participants will be evaluated on certain tasks every month.
A total of 15 finanalists will then be chosen to compete in a final performance showcase and art exhibition in Johannesburg, with ACT covering their travel, accommodation and food expenses. During the gala evening to showcase their talent, one winner in each category (performing arts and visual and digital arts) will be announced, and the winners will each receive a fully paid scholarship of up to R350 000 to study at a tertiary or an accredited South African arts institution of their choice.
Jessica Denyschen, interim Chief Executive of ACT says that the response to the open call has been very pleasing. ‘We have been inundated with enquiries, and waiving the application fee enables many more talented youth to benefit from not only the potential scholarship, but also the valuable training programme. The ACT NSP nurtures young talent in their personal and professional development, exposing the industry to them in a guided way. The networking, development and peer relationships are what knit together the way in which we take care of our artists and, with the right support and mentoring, they will achieve incredible success.’
Previous finalists and winners of the scholarship programme include notable names such as Wonder Ndlovu (actor in Gomora), Dillon Windvogel (actor in Blood & Water), Tankiso Mamabolo (musician), Nkosinathi Nzima (visual artist), Liam Rose (visual artist) and Marang Khwene (dancer) who are all making waves in the local and international art fraternity.
Tobie Badenhorst, Head of Group Sponsorships and Cause Marketing at Nedbank, says that talented youth, whether in the visual or digital arts or in the dance, drama, music, singing or performance categories, are all encouraged to apply. ‘In addition to the chance of winning one of the scholarships, 75 applicants will receive life-changing professional training and mentorship to help them become artists who not only excel in their artform but are also well prepared for the world of work. This includes self-development, people management, entrepreneurship, marketing and communication skills. The goal of the ACT NSP is to help the youth achieve successful and sustainable careers.’
Heidi Edson, Group Socioeconomic Development Manager at Sun International, says that the teams at ACT, Sun International and Nedbank are dedicated to the upliftment of grassroots talent. ‘We applaud their efforts to encourage and accommodate more applicants.’
Time is moving fast, so apply today. Visit act.org.za/nyoloha/and start impACTing your future in a positive way! #ACTnyoloha #ACTonyourfuture #actstrat #ACTSAtalent #NedbankArtsAffinity #NedbankArts #SunInternational.’
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SUBMITTED BY: Debra de Souza, debranne@icon.co.za, WhatsApp calls only: 0828229478
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Over 29 years of arts support – Arts & CultureTrust
The Arts and Culture Trust is South Africa’s premier independent arts development and investment organisation. Its focus is to increase the capacity for arts and culture initiatives to create sustainable futures through the development of 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. The support extends to festivals, community arts initiatives, management, education as well as administration. For more information, 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 R29 million over 29 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 Thuthukisani Programme and the ACT Tlholo Project. For more information visit any Nedbank branch, call 0860 555 111 or visit nedbankarts.co.za.
About Business and Arts South Africa (BASA)
Business and Arts South Africa NPC (BASA) was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative between the government and the private sector as part of a strategy to secure greater involvement in the arts and from businesses operating in South Africa. Constituted in terms of the Companies Act, BASA is registered as a public benefit organisation. BASA champions business investment within the arts, cultural and heritage sectors, driving focused and sustained partnerships by unlocking shared value and fostering social cohesion. For more information, please go to www.basa.co.za.
About Sun International
The Sun International brand has a proud legacy in the gaming, hospitality, conferencing, leisure and entertainment sectors.
Sun International’s iconic properties, such as the renowned Palace of The Lost City Hotel at Sun City and the magnificent Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town have become synonymous with luxury, comfort and outstanding service, firmly establishing the group’s position as an internationally recognised premium brand.
Sun International’s diverse South African property portfolio includes 15 hotels, two premier resorts and 11 well-located casinos – all offering modern, fully equipped conferencing and banqueting facilities, while the Sun Vacation Club at Sun City is now a leading timeshare model in the country.
The group is also the local industry leader in online gaming. Thanks to the latest global technology, providing a betting service through its SunBet platform, Sun International also offers the most innovative and exciting online betting experience available.
The group has also set the standard for hosting events, and their world-class arenas remain the preferred venues for international events and shows. The three championship golf courses at the Sun City and Wild Coast Sun resorts regularly host large-scale golfing tournaments, including the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, which is now part of the European Tour.
Whatever the activity, all Sun International’s properties and facilities offer a quality experience supported by authentic personal service. Most Valued Guests (MVGs) are rewarded with exclusive offers and preferential rates through the MVG loyalty programme, designed exclusively for Sun International gaming patrons.
In February 2021 Sun International joined the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands and operator of an award-winning, multi-brand loyalty programme called ‘Discovery’. Through GHA, Sun International now participates in a network with 17 million members that operate in 85 countries.
Sustainability and community involvement form an integral part of the group’s corporate culture. Through collaborative partnerships with government and local business, Sun International’s socioeconomic development and environmental initiatives ensure scarce environmental resources are never wasted, and the group is committed to providing ongoing and meaningful support to vulnerable communities throughout South Africa.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the comprehensive Covid-19 Policy and Health Plan was implemented across all business units to safeguard the safety of guests, employees and concessionaires. In November 2020 Sun International received an award from The Institute of Risk Management South Africa in recognition of the extensive and world-standard Covid-19 controls introduced across all our hotel and casino properties. Sun International is also a recipient of the World Travel and Tourism Council’s global Safe Travels Stamp of approval.