Call for applications: Performing Arts Scholarships

Sponsored by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), in partnership with the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) and Nedbank Arts Affinity, more than 14 scholarships ranging from R30 000 ($1800) to R150 000 ($9000) will be awarded during 2016. Winners will be at liberty to choose any undergraduate performing arts course at an accredited South African tertiary institution of their choice.

Established by DALRO and Nedbank in 2009, the programme has awarded more than R1,5 million ($90 000) to 15 recipients. “For many, access to quality education is a very real challenge and the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) extends a heartfelt thanks to our partners for playing such a valuable role in improving the lives of young people,” said ACT Chief Executive, Pieter Jacobs.

Auditions will be held between June and August 2016 at various cities throughout South Africa:

• Durban: 22-25 June
• Cape Town: 27-30 June
• Port Elizabeth: 1-2 July
• Potchefstroom 11 July
• Bloemfontein: 12 July
• Kimberley: 13 July
• Witbank: 22 July
• Polokwane: 23 July
• Pretoria: 5-7 August
• Johannesburg: 8-10 August

While candidates will be assessed on their competency in three disciplines, learners who demonstrate exceptional potential in one of the disciplines also stand a chance to win an Acting, Singing or Dance scholarship. 

Grade 12 learners will be required to prepare a range of performance material, including prescribed and own-choice monologues, a dance number and song. Grade 12 finalists must be available from 3 to 10 October for the final round to be hosted by the iconic Market Theatre in Johannesburg. First-and-second-year students will be required to showcase more than one own-choice performance number in the discipline they are already mastering at an accredited South African tertiary institution. Student finalists must be available every Thursday during September for regional rounds, details of which will be announced in August.

“We felt that performing an appropriate selection of material that best showcases a student’s talent is as important as having potential to make it in the very competitive performing arts industry in South Africa,” added Jacobs.

Registration closes on 31 May 2016.  For more information and to register, visit the ACT website.