Call for applications: COVID-19 digital innovation arts project funding in SA

The new call supersedes the one that closed on 30 April. Artists may remove, amend or resubmit their existing applications before 19 June, or submit new applications.

Considering the urgency of the situation following the devastating effects of the COVID-19 restrictions and protocols, the NAC will start adjudicating applications as they are received. An announcement of the outcomes will be made on 30 June.

Individuals and registered arts organisations are requested to propose projects aimed at educating and entertaining using information technology and digital innovation, with the focus being on creating, exhibiting and showcasing works in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The NAC met to consider measures that would support the arts sector through the COVID-19 crisis and that would complement steps already taken by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and the government,” the council said. “It is clear that the arts and culture sector of South Africa has been decimated by the impact of COVID-19 and by the emergency lockdown measures that were, out of necessity, put in place to stem the tide of infections. Sector activities such as live performances and on-site exhibitions were among the first to be cancelled; they are also likely to be among the last activities to come back on stream.”

The NAC says it encourages the arts community to respond with agility to new ways of developing, promoting, selling and creating art.

“This includes reimagining audience interaction with the arts, the creation of new paradigms for viewing and understanding the place of art during this time of the pandemic. The creation of advocacy opportunities to reposition the arts in the COVID-19 environment taking into cognisance restrictions from levels 5 to 2 will be an advantage.”

The council has made the following two recommendations, which involve the reprioritisation of funds within the mandate of the NAC.

• Provision of immediate emergency relief to support the livelihoods of currently funded individual artists who have received the first tranche of funding from the NAC and have been severely impacted by the loss of income from the cancellation of events and other activities. These beneficiaries will be contacted soon.
• To focus the 2020-21 project funding cycle on initiatives that stimulate the use of information technology and digital platforms to promote and deliver cultural products, create new paradigms for viewing and understanding the place of art during this time, thus responding to lockdown conditions and restrictions.

Access the online application guideline form for individual projects here. 

Access the online application guideline form for projects by organisations here.

Funding guidelines will be made available on the NAC official website.

For more information, email info@nac.org.za.

View the original call here.