COVID-19: SA arts council cancels international postgraduate bursaries

The NAC made a call in January inviting postgraduate students to apply for a grant not exceeding R250 000.

“The uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus means that we do not know if certain international universities and institutes will be open for learning this year, nor, indeed, do we know when international air travel will be permitted again,” NAC CEO Rosemary Mangope said.

“This has led the council to take the undesirable decision of cancelling the bursaries for this year. We realise this will come as a disappointment to many current and prospective overseas students. We empathise with their plight. However, we believe this is the most responsible course of action. We remain firmly committed to the furtherance and prosperity of the South African arts sector.”

Mangope said the funds that were originally allocated for international arts bursaries would be redirected to local arts practitioners to create projects that utilise information technology and digital platforms.

She said the reallocation of funds would seek to specifically address the catastrophic loss of jobs and income resulting from the COVID-19 crisis.

For more information about bursaries or project funding, email [email protected] or visit the NAC official website.