Open call: Arts and Culture Trust programme facilitators in SA

The ACT seeks programme personnel to support the NSP across four positions, namely visual and digital arts mentor, performing arts assistant mentor, stage manager and an artistic director.

In partnership with Nedbank, Sun International, and the MTN Foundation SA, the ACT NSP is an undergraduate scholarship initiative designed to empower qualifying youth with opportunities to pursue tertiary education in visual and performing arts. Simultaneously, the programme aims to equip practising artists with career-accelerating skills, ensuring sustainable careers in the contemporary job market of the cultural and creative industries.

This year’s iteration of the programme, ACT said, promises to be fresh, unique, and impactful, comprising two components: the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme and the ACT Nyoloha Training Programme.

Traditionally, the ACT solely offered the scholarship programme, which provides art scholarships for youth to pursue tertiary education. However, ACT has 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 candidates will engage in a three-month bi-weekly mentorship and training programme, conducted online on Saturdays. The programme includes online training, mentorship with industry experts with a focus on discipline specific knowledge and information. The 2024 iteration of the programme will encompass a strong focus on the inclusion of immersive technologies in the visual and performing arts.

The culmination of the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme will see a selection of 15 finalists that will move ahead post-training phase to participate in an intensive week of master classes and rehearsals, culminating in a final performing arts showcase and exhibition to win one of two scholarships to the value of R300 000 each. Participants collaborate with industry professionals, gaining valuable experience and the opportunity to connect with emerging artists from diverse backgrounds.

Below are the four short-term positions:

Visual and digital arts mentor

To provide programme participants theoretical and practical instruction in service of practical skills and techniques through conducting bi-weekly workshops from 8 June to 17 August 2024. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong digital arts background.

Performing arts assistant mentor

To provide programme participants theoretical and practical instruction in service of practical skills and techniques through conducting bi-weekly workshops from 8 June to 17 August.

Stage manager

The individual will be responsible for coordinating the ACT NSP production from rehearsals to performances, working alongside the artistic director to ensure that the production is successful.  The stage manager will be working with the artistic director during finals week from 23 to 27 September and execute the technical support for the artistic vision and focus for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme Gala Event on 28 September.

Artistic director

The artistic director will be responsible for and facilitating the performing arts segment of the programme through curating rehearsals from 23 to 27 September. The selected candidate will work with an assistant choreographer and assistant vocal coach. Overall, the artistic director will be responsible for conceiving, developing and implementing an artistic vision and focus, according to this year’s theme, for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme gala event on 28 September.

South African citizens passionate about arts development, teaching and mentorship of artists are encouraged to submit proposals, sharing their expertise and knowledge to uplift the next generation of talented artists. Applicants will need to submit proposals and other supporting documents including a CV, portfolio of previous works, and reference letter(s) to apply, depending on the position that they are applying for.

“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,” ACT CEO Jessica Denyschen said. “We are specifically looking for programme personnel who embody creative excellence in their respective fields and possess a knack for innovating with art forms and the application of digital or immersive technologies in performing and visual arts mediums.”

Interested applicants should apply here before 12 April. All enquiries or questions must be e-mailed to ACT programme coordinator Angelinah Kemane at angelinah@act.org.za.

View application guidelines and the original call here and here, respectively.