2020 Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Professional Development Grant in Music

Application Deadline:Sunday, 12 July 2020.

The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is pleased to announce that applications for the ACT Professional Development Programme will open on 22 May 2020. Applications for the ACT Professional Development Grant in Music will be accepted until Sunday, 12 July 2020.

In 2018 the ACT Professional Development Programme supported projects in the fields of visual art and dance, followed by literature in 2019 and theatre at the beginning of 2020. For the second grant cycle of 2020 ACT is looking for projects with a focus on music and encourages applications for interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary works that have music as a core component

he nationwide lockdown has brought both challenges and opportunities and while we look to a more certain future in which we will be able to come together once more, we also have to accept that our lives will never be the same again and that we will live with some of the restrictions for a long time.

Around the world, artists have had to turn to alternative platforms and ways of collaborating. Many artists are turning to digital platforms and diversifying their practice and there are long-term lessons, which the whole sector can benefit from.

Digital platforms are vital but not the only solution and South African artists face many unique challenges. Many people don’t have access to online platforms and #datamustfall. Alternative platforms such as radio have a much greater reach in our country.

We are looking to support South African artists in producing high-quality, innovative local art that serves our communities and the larger sector:

• Projects that present innovative ways to serve communities and reach audiences.
• Projects of an interdisciplinary and collaborative nature.
• Projects that showcase high artistic and professional merit.
• Projects to take place between September 2020 and September 2021.

A total of nine grants will be awarded for this open call:

Emerging/Midlevel artists and organisations are eligible to apply for one of six small grants of R30 000 each, while established artists and organisations are eligible to apply for one of three grants of R80 000 each.

To be eligible for the emerging/midlevel, ACT Professional Development Grant organisations must have been operating professionally for at least one year and have experience of managing budgets of less than R50 000.

To be considered established, organizations must have been in operation for three or more years and have a proven track record of successful projects with budgets exceeding R50 000.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the 2020 Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Professional Development Grant in Music