Call for applications: Arts and Culture Trust Thuthukisani Programme

Initiated by ACT and supported by Nedbank, Thuthukisani Programme is a business development initiative that seeks to empower a selected group of artists and creative entrepreneurs to implement and execute their chosen projects in a strategic and sustainable way. A total of 63 successful applicants, seven from each province in South Africa, will receive training.

After completing the training programme, participants will pitch their projects for the opportunity to receive a cash investment and one-on-one mentorship. Only projects with merit that can generate income will be eligible for potential investment.

The word “thuthukisani” is a call to action taken from the Zulu word “thuthukisa” (a verb), meaning to develop. The roll-out of the programme takes place in three cycles and applicants from three predetermined provinces per cycle are invited to apply. Cycle one, covering Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga has been completed, and cycle two, covering the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal is in its final stages. Applicants from Gauteng, the Free State and the Western Cape can now apply for cycle three. 

The call opened on 3 November and will run until 17 January. Application forms are available online here, and outcomes are expected to be announced in February 2023. Training is provisionally scheduled to start at the end of February 2023.

Only 21 ACT Thuthukisani Programme participants per province will be selected. After training has been completed, up to three qualifying projects per province will receive a cash investment and ongoing mentorship for the duration of the project.

To be considered for selection in cycle three, applicants must meet all the stipulated criteria:

• Only South African nationals with projects taking place in South Africa may apply.
• Arts organisations and/or individuals must carry on an active, registered and compliant arts business in terms of the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission and the South African Revenue Service requirements.
• An “arts business” in this instance refers to an entity that operates in the disciplines of music, visual arts, performing arts and literature.
• If applying in a music or film capacity, the content, theme or subject matter must have arts and culture at its core. For example, music videos or documentaries about animals are not eligible.

Note: It is important for applicants to know that project plans or ideas need to be further developed, executed and generate income within 90 days. Participants must strictly comply with and attend all training and mentorship sessions.

As a business development course, this programme requires a significant commitment in terms of time and effort. Selected applicants will need discipline and excellent communication skills, and will be required to work with their mentor to develop their project plan. Acceptance into the programme does not guarantee monetary investment.

Successful applicants will receive online training through a curriculum, including an introduction to entrepreneurial practice, asset-based community development, audience development, strategic marketing, project management, governance and financial management.  

“The sustainability of artists and arts businesses practising in the creative sector and the development of their ideas, products or concepts need context as well as business-specific training, mentorship and investment to become profitable,” ACT interim CEO Jessica Denyschen said. “The ACT Thuthukisani Programme is designed to offer and educate applicants using relevant sustainable strategies for operating profitably in the South African context. The Trust is proud of the success and applauds the artists and businesses from cycles one and two, who are moving towards creating sustainable futures for themselves and, by doing so, creating opportunities for others in the sector.”

Nedbank head of group sponsorships and cause marketing Tobie Badenhorst said: “People in the arts in every part of South Africa have to learn to run a business efficiently and make money to be sustainable and grow. Essential to this is training in business entrepreneurialism and arts administration, which is why the ACT Thuthukisani Programme has been developed. We are excited to see who applies from Gauteng, the Free State and the Western Cape.”

View the original call here.