FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 07 February 2024
Arts & Culture Trust presents the ACT Thuthukisani Programme Atologa 2024 information briefing session on Zoom
Are you looking to elevate your art business? Do you think you have what it takes to implement and execute a business project within 90 days? If you’re a visionary arts entrepreneur with a zeal for creating profitable business solutions to challenges within the arts and culture sector, this opportunity is tailored for you. The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Thuthukisani Programme, renowned for its unwavering commitment to fostering the growth of South Africa’s vibrant arts and culture entrepreneurship space, is proud to announce the upcoming Atologa 2024 information briefing session. This online event will serve as a vital platform to inform potential candidates about the much-anticipated open call for the next ACT Thuthukisani Programme cycle.
Aspiring or established arts entrepreneurs from all 9 provinces of South Africa are invited to attend the briefing session, set to take place on Zoom on 15 February 2024. This briefing will serve as an opportunity to gain valuable insights into the ACT Thuthukisani Programme, including eligibility criteria, project milestones, and answers to frequently asked questions.
The ACT Thuthukisani Programme is a long-term partnership between ACT and Nedbank. The programme entails an intensive business development, training, and mentorship component designed to empower a select group of artists and/or arts entrepreneurs and enhance their expertise in business aspects such as financial management, good governance, project management, and marketing. Participants are required to switch gear to proactive, creative solutions and opportunities to create profitable products and projects. Throughout this process, projects that illustrate viability and merit will be selected for a monetary investment of up to R35 000 for the rollout, which is to take place within 90 days. Registered companies will be eligible for the maximum amount of R35 000 while non-registered companies will be eligible for a maximum R10 000 investment amount. participants selected to implement their projects will further undergo rigorous 1-on-1 mentorship with industry experts during the implementation phase of their projects.
The programme is aimed at fostering vibrant arts businesses, which are entities that operate in the disciplines of visual arts, digital arts, performing arts, music, and literature. If you apply 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.
Jessica Denyschen, ACT CEO, said: ‘Thuthukisani is derived from the isiZulu word “thuthukisa” which means “to develop”, and this embodies the very essence of ACT. With a legacy spanning over 30 years, we have dedicated ourselves to investing in the building blocks of emerging artists, arts managers, and entrepreneurs. Now we’re elevating our commitment by not only addressing the foundational elements but also providing essential training, mentorship, and cash investment opportunities to enable arts entrepreneurs at grassroots level to build lifetime sustainable and profitable businesses that can create a multitude of job opportunities.’
Poovi Pillay, Executive Head of Corporate Social Investments (CSI) at Nedbank, says: ‘We are excited to be part of your journey and to work with you to empower you with the knowledge and skills you need to operate professionally and sustainably as artists and arts entrepreneurs. We want to see opportunities expanding for the wonderful talent we have in our diverse South African communities.’
Should you have any questions on this programme, please contact Palesa Molefe at palesa@act.org.za. To keep in touch with the ACT, visit their website, follow them on X or like their Facebook page.
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Celebrating 30 years of Arts Excellence – Arts & Culture Trust
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is South Africa’s premier independent development and art 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, and arts administration. Over the last 30 years, ACT has supported more than 830 arts, culture, and heritage development projects countrywide which includes small businesses.
For more information, please visit the ACT website, follow them on X, or like their Facebook page.
About Nedbank
In partnership with ACT, the Nedbank Arts Affinity has donated more than R30 million over 30 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.