The Presidency has made a special employment stimulus programme available to the sector to disburse via the National Arts Council and the National Film and Video Foundation. The Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) is geared towards employment creation and retention initiatives for artists, creatives, heritage
sector workers and cultural workers. This includes (but is not limited to) support to innovation in digitisation efforts for content creation and the dissemination and development of e-commerce systems.
The NAC encourages the sector to respond with agility to new ways of developing, promoting, selling and creating art, culture and heritage programmes projects and products. This includes reimagining audience interaction with the arts, culture and heritage, the creation of new paradigms for viewing and understanding the place of the arts, culture and heritage during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme is a three-month injection and projects have to conclude by 31 March 2021.
How is the NAC disbursing the PESP?
The NAC is disbursing funding through two streams. The first stream focusses on JOB RETENTION via a wage subsidy and is for organisations, institutions, SMME’s and individuals in the arts, culture and heritage sector. The second stream focusses on PROJECTS that can create income opportunities and is for organisations, institutions,
SMME’s and individuals in the arts, culture and heritage sector.
STREAM 1: JOB RETENTION WAGE SUBSIDY
Many institutions and organisations in the sector are facing the prospect of job cuts as a result of loss of revenue. Organisations, institutions, SMMES and individuals/sole traders find themselves in a positions where they are struggling to retain their staff compliment. In this call the sector will apply for a wage subsidy to retain employees
that they already have on their payroll or on contract.
The average wage subsidy has been calculated at R16 600 over three months concluding 31 March 2021 (January,
February and March 2021).
What compliance documents do you need to submit with your application?
- Examples of individual or organisation’s previous works in the form of photographs, brochures, videos or other published/printed materials
- Valid tax clearance certificate
- Certified copy of ID of main applicant (not older than 3 months)
- Certified company registration (NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS)
- Payslips, PAYE or other proof of payment to employees or contractors such as bank statements or contracts
- Proof of bank account on bank letterhead
Closing date of Stream 1: 20 November 2020
Announcements of STREAM 1 outcomes: From 1 December 2020
How will you be adjudicated in Stream 1?
1. Demonstration of job retention | Suitable job retention in the sector |
2. Transformation The NAC has to strive towards a transformed arts, culture and heritage sector |
|
3. Sector experience and knowledge | Demonstrable experience in and/or knowledge of the sector |
STREAM 2
This OPEN CALL is aimed at soliciting proposals from the sector that demonstrate opportunities to create WORK in order to get the sector moving and income flowing. The PESP acts here as a catalytic injection of income into the economy that enables ambitious proposals that create multiple opportunities for employment and collaboration. These kinds of projects energise the entire value chain and have a multiplier effect. It is essential that the sector dictates what kind of projects are necessary at this time and so we welcome ideas from the sector. As you consider your project and your proposal, ask yourself: Does your work inspire? Does it unite people? Does it create opportunities for many to earn an income? Can the project be concluded by 31 March 2021?
The NAC has taken direction from the Presidency and DSAC to assess the proposals and funding requests based on the ambition and merit of the project. As such, no threshold to the funding amount per project will apply. However, each employment opportunity within the project has been calculated at R25 000 over 3 months concluding 31 March (January, February and March 2021). This is a guiding cost figure that applicants should consider when applying. Note that a project could contain multiple opportunities.
Closing date of Stream 2: 27 November 2020
Announcement of Stream 2 outcomes: Stream 2 will be announced in two sessions:
- If you apply before 14 November your project outcome will be known from 1 December 2020.
- If you apply after 14 November, your project outcome will be known from 21 December.
What compliance documents do you need to submit with your application?
How will you be adjudicated in Stream 2?
What kinds of projects are we welcoming?
While we welcome all ideas from the sector, these are a few examples
- Market access opportunities, exhibitions, performances, shows, events, festivals that are Covid-19 restrictions compliant
- Community outreach and arts activation projects
- Technical arts and culture training at all levels
- Creation of new works/products across all disciplines including writing, design, fashion, photography, visual art, composition, theatre, music and entertainment etc.
- Heritage projects that include women, youth, education, indigenous knowledge, research etc.
- And other activities that can demonstrate the creation of work opportunities and economic stimulus
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can an applicant apply to both Streams 1 and 2?
Yes.
2. Can an applicant apply more than once?
An applicant can apply only once to Stream 1 and twice to Stream 2. Applicants have to provide evidence of being able to manage more than one project.
3. Can DSAC agencies aa institutions apply?
Yes, public institutions and agencies of DSAC can apply for projects to Stream 2
4. Can existing NAC beneficiaries apply for existing projects?
Yes
5. Do funds have to be spent by 31 March 2020?
Yes
6. Can funds be disbursed after 31 March 2021?
No
7. Can there be a variance in the opportunity cost?
Yes the opportunity costs have been calculated as an average. It could be a once-off cost or spread over a few months
8. Can you add costs other than direct employment cost?
Yes in Stream 2 geared towards projects, however the average opportunity cost should be kept as a guide and the costs other than direct employment costs should not exceed 50% of the budget.
9. Can an application be considered after the deadline?
No, all applications have to be submitted within the allocated period.
10. Are hard copy applications accepted?
No, all applications have to be submitted through our Grant Management System.
11. Can my application be submitted without all the compliance documents?
No, you can save your application until you have all your compliant documents, but can only submit once those are uploaded.
How do you apply?
Applicants need to register and complete the online application form using the following link: https://nac.praxisgms.co.za/
Funding guidelines can be downloaded from www.nac.org.za. For more information, contact info@nac.org.za. The NAC reserves the right to allocate funds according to its priorities. No applicant is automatically entitled to funding. All funding is at the discretion of the NAC.
National Arts Council, PO Box 500, Newtown, 2113. 66 Margaret Mcingana Street, Market Theatre
Precinct, Newtown, 2113. Email: info@nac.org.za