Call for applications: COVID-19 relief fund for SA creatives

The call follows South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa's announcement last week that his department would inject R150m ($8m) in support of athletes and entertainers who have been affected by COVID-19 restrictions in the country.

In order to benefit from the fund, applicants should complete the documents here and here and email them to [email protected].

The deadline for submissions is 6 April.

Instructions

• Each applicant must complete the above documents to be eligible for COVID-19 relief assistance.
• Only applicants who meet the set criteria may apply.
• Only applicants affected by a project or event cancelled from when the president made a state of disaster announcement to June 2020.
• Applications from NGO, NPI, NPC, PTY, freelancer/independent contractor.
• Incomplete forms shall result in immediate disqualification.
• Permanent or employees on a fixed contract do not qualify for this relief. They may explore other relief interventions available to businesses and labour.
• Provision of false information will be treated as fraud and dealt with through the appropriate criminal justice system.

Required documents

• Copy of applicant’s ID
• Applicant’s bank account confirmation.
• 2 x pages of concept proposal & organisation/individual profile.
• 1 x page budget breakdown.
• Annexure a: list of persons to be paid (if applicable).
• Documents confirming involvement/participation (contract, commitment letter etc.).

Projects funded by the department that had to be cancelled where a memorandum of agreement (MOA) exists and tranche payments are yet to be made, the following criteria will apply:

• Submit documentation that does not deviate from the existing MOA requirements (narrative report, invoices, valid compliance documents etc).
• Supporting documents: e.g. cancellation letters, proof of payments made to artists/participants/service providers etc. involved and proof of contracts and payment due.
• For approved projects without a signed MOA but with a grant letter, all valid compliance documents and action plan (April-June) should be submitted.
• However, projects that were affected during March (after the state of disaster announcement), will also be considered.

Institutions (entities) of the department

• Productions/events/projects scheduled for March to June that had to be cancelled.
• The institutions/playhouses will compensate the practitioners in accordance with their agreements and the above-mentioned requirements may apply.
• Institutions/playhouses reserve the right to determine the quantum of compensation.

Department-funded projects

In order for cancelled productions/live events/projects to be considered for the relief assistance, submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Projects/events/productions with a national footprint (involving creatives from various provinces) particularly those that are submitted by national industry organisations.
• Compensation will be considered for the period April to June.
• Collaborative projects which already had existing partnership or had a potential to attract other funders/investors.
• In the case of freelance workers and independent contractors: Proof of loss of income – should demonstrate that the creative worker was contracted, a signed contract; formal letter indicating a standing arrangement with other party, and that the other party will not provide for compensation.
• Any other information outlined in the application form.
• Compliance for organisations: CIPC documents, valid tax clearance.
• Compliance for individuals: Copy of ID, tax number (if applicable).
• Relief will only apply to the projects, events and productions that have been cancelled not postponed.

New proposals

The department will accept proposals that respond to digital solutions, for creatives to continue working during this period.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Emanating from all cultural and creative disciplines, the content can also respond to the COVID-19 in the sport, arts and culture sectors.
• In the form of video online, streaming, podcasts, animation and documentaries to mention a few.
• Scheduled for April to June.
• Guideline: the proposal should not exceed five (5) pages – outline a concept, brief profile, budget breakdown and a list of participants with their details should be included (see snnexure form).

Visit the department's website for more.