FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 1 August 2024

Arts & Culture Trust presents the rebranded ACT Luminary Awards, celebrating excellence in the arts

Over the past 30 years the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) in partnership with Nedbank and Sun International has remained committed to supporting and championing excellence in the South African cultural and creative industries. ACT has consistently provided arts training, mentorship, entrepreneurship development, scholarships, financial support, and bestowed prestigious awards to luminaries in the sector.

Since 1998 ACT has hosted the annual ACT Awards in recognition and celebration of excellence in South African arts, culture and creativity. However, these awards took a hiatus in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The hiatus allowed ACT to re-envision the purpose of these awards and how we honour those in our sector carrying the torch of excellence.

This year, in celebration of both ACT’s 30th anniversary and South Africa’s 30 years of democracy, we proudly unveil the rebranded ACT Luminary Awards in partnership with the South African Gallery of Legends and supported by Nedbank, Sun International, MTN South Africa, and Business and Arts South Africa, reviving the legacy of the annual ACT Awards in its 23rd edition.

These awards celebrate South African luminaries in the cultural and creative industries who continue to play an important role in preserving, growing and promoting our arts, culture and heritage, and excellence in arts entrepreneurship.

ACT is calling on South African artists, as well as cultural and creative producers, entrepreneurs, community arts centres, diverse arts organisations and individuals who are pushing the envelope within the disciplines of performing arts, music, visual and digital arts, indigenous art forms and literature, to nominate their 2024 award recipients. Qualifying artists will be able to nominate themselves for the awards.

Since 1998 the ACT Awards have honoured artists of the highest calibre, such as Esther Mahlangu, William Kentridge, Sibongile Khumalo, Johnny Clegg, Gibson Kente, Nomhle Nkonyeni, Sylvia Glasser, Dorothy Masuku, Miriam Makeba, Caiphus Semenya and many others. This year promises to build on the esteem of the ACT Awards legacy under the theme of African Luminaries.

Award winners will receive official certificates and cash prizes, as well as development and mentorship opportunities. The winner in the Excellence in Arts Entrepreneurship category will also receive business development opportunities and mentorship to plow back into their creative endeavours.

Visit http://act.org.za/luminaryawards to find out more and submit your nominations.

‘We are excited to be reviving the awards this year, not only as a celebratory event for our 30th anniversary but also as a flagship industry event that honours those who give their artistic excellence and commitment to the sector to ensure its future and visibility. We are excited to extend the offering beyond the awards night with an alumni programme designed to further support the winners in their endeavours. ACT is also proud to publicly announce our partnership with the South African Gallery of Legends for the ACT Luminary Awards. This partnership ensures that we create a tangible pathway for recognised excellence in the arts across generations in a meaningful and connected way,’ said ACT Chief Executive Officer Jessica Denyschen.

Poovi Pilay, Head of Group Sponsorships and Cause Marketing at Nedbank, says: ‘It is with great anticipation that we await the entries for the prestigious ACT Awards. The arts and culture sector throughout South Africa is one of our nation’s greatest riches. The participants in this sector have immense value as the keepers of our collective heart and soul, and as the creators of core services with multiple employment and career opportunities. Through these awards we want to honour our creatives and our cultural and creative organisations and industries. We thank them for their extraordinary contribution to the tapestry of talent in our country.’

Nomination process and eligibility

  • Individuals, organisations or community arts centres operating within the disciplines of performing arts, music, visual arts, and literature can be nominated.
  • Individuals or organisations must have projects with a proven track record of at least 2 years.
  • Individuals or organisations must be South African and based in the country, but can operate internationally.
  • A nomination can be made by either a third party or the individual or organisation themselves.
  • To submit a nomination, visit http://act.org.za/luminaryawards and complete the nomination form by 30 August 2024.
  • The nomination form must adhere to the nomination guidelines, which can be accessed via http://act.org.za/luminaryawards.

An independent selection panel comprises industry representatives will evaluate and make recommendations for the 3 best nominees per category to represent the finalists. Thereafter the 3 finalists per category will be announced to the public and 1 winner per category will be announced at the prestigious MTN Innovation Centre on 26 October 2024.

Awards categories

  1. Excellence in the Arts (18–45 years of age): Recognising artists and arts organisations excelling in various disciplines, focusing on artistic excellence, innovation, and positive community and sector impact.
  2. Excellence in Arts Entrepreneurship (no age restriction): Celebrating entrepreneurial achievements in the cultural and creative industries, rewarding innovation and sustainability. Companies must be registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and must be SARS-compliant with a minimum of 3 years of operation.
  3. Excellence in Arts Advocacy or Administration (28–75 years of age): Recognising arts administrators, arts activists, and arts organisations advocating for the development of the arts, culture and heritage sector in various disciplines with a focus on artistic excellence and a positive and demonstrated community impact.
  4. ACT Lifetime Award (55 years or over): This award celebrates individuals in arts and culture whose enduring dedication has greatly enriched South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape over at least 20 years. Recognising contributions in the performing arts, music, visual arts, multidisciplinary, and literature, these accolades highlight the significant impact of these individuals’ or organisation’s lifelong commitments.

One may nominate an individual or organisation in more than 1 award category but must submit a separate nomination for each category. For full details on each award category and eligibility criteria, click here.

For questions, please email info@act.org.za. To keep in touch with ACT, visit their website, follow them on X, or like their Facebook page.

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 past 30 years ACT has supported more than 830 arts, culture, and heritage development projects countrywide, including small businesses. For more information, please visit the ACT website, follow them on X, or like their Facebook page.

About South African Gallery of Legends

Situated at Freedom Park in Tshwane, the South African Gallery of Legends (SAGOL) has been established to honour and recognise South African legends in the fields of sports, arts and culture. SAGOL serves to preserve, promote and celebrate the history, values and excellence of our legends through an exuberant exhibition. These legends will be inducted annually at the SAGOL through a national nomination process. SAGOL will work in consultation with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, as well as all sporting codes and the broader arts and culture fraternity.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/SouthAfricanGalleryofLegends/

Website: www.galleryoflegends.co.za.

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 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.

About MTN South Africa

Launched in 1994, MTN South Africa is a subsidiary of MTN Group, a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of modern connected life. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code ‘MTN’. Our strategy is ‘Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress’.

Follow us:

www.twitter.com/MTNza

www.linkedin.com/company/mtn

About Business and Arts South Africa

BASA was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative between 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, 71 of 2008, BASA is registered as a public benefit organisation. BASA champions business investment within the arts and cultural and heritage sector, driving focused and sustained partnerships by unlocking shared value and fostering social cohesion. For more information go to 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 world-famous Palace of The Lost City Hotel at Sun City and the magnificent Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town – situated on the water’s edge of the V&A Waterfront, 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 of which offer 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 a local industry leader in online gaming offering the latest global technology in betting. 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. MVG guests are rewarded with exclusive offers and preferential rates through the Most Valued Guest loyalty programme, designed exclusively for Sun International gaming patrons.

Sun International’s Most Valued Guest (MVG) programme celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024, making it the oldest loyalty programme in the country. 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 can now participate 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 businesses, Sun International’s SED 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.