ACT Development announces 11 new projects

During this funding cycle ACT will be making an investment in paper-conservation training as well as the publication of a volume of play scripts from five new emerging playwrights.

Visual arts projects include Amy Tarr's exhibition Absence and a collective from the Free State, Prophecy. Keiskamma will receive a grant for the development of a demo CD and the National Marimba Festival, set to take place in the Zwide Township in the Eastern Cape, will also receive support.

Take a Child to the Theatre, an Assitej campaign, has been successful too, as well as Oscar Brown's Between, which will be staged at the Alexander Theatre, Cape Town. The Wentworth Arts and Culture Organisation secured funds for the development of disadvantaged youths and aspiring dancers from KwaZulu-Natal and the African Arts Institute's IT and the Arts Toolkit has also been selected for a Development Programme grant.

Open for application on an ongoing basis

The programme is funded by Nedbank Arts Affinity and is supported by Sun International. It has been designed to enhance the continued development of art and culture in South Africa and is open for application on an ongoing basis. The programme is aimed at youths and professional development as well as the creation of new South African work. Through this programme, ACT makes provision for all expressions of art, including but not limited to: craft, dance, music, theatre, literature, heritage, visual art and new media.

Maseda Ratshikuni, head: cause marketing of Nedbank said that they are delighted to be part of this this initiative yet again. "Nedbank has a proud history of supporting the arts, through our Arts Affinity Programme, which has contributed nearly R15 million in support of more than 700 arts, culture and heritage projects countrywide. We are highly involved in the communities we serve. Our support demonstrates our commitment to the development, promotion and preservation of the arts in our country."

The next Development Programme funding cycle closes at the end of May 2013. The outcome of applications submitted during this cycle will be available by 25 June, 2013. For more submission deadlines, criteria or to submit an application, go to www.act.org.za.