Deadline extended: Arts & Culture Trust Thuthukisani Programme Atologa 2024

Photo by Nkululeko Mayiyane on Unsplash

Atologa, supported by Nedbank, is a cornerstone of support for emerging and established South African artists and arts entrepreneurs. Through comprehensive entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and cash investment opportunities, the programme aims to nurture talent and foster sustainable growth in the arts and culture sector.

Applications are open to registered and non-registered businesses, community art centres, and rural and township enterprises operating within various arts disciplines, including visual arts, digital arts, performing arts, music, 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.

Empowering art entrepreneurs and art businesses

Over the years the programme has empowered more than 73 arts entrepreneurs and businesses. Participants selected to participate in the ACT Thuthukisani Programme will undergo an intensive curriculum designed to enhance their business acumen.

This comprehensive programme encompasses training modules including Project Management; Financial Management; and Marketing and Audience Development with a particular focus on access to new markets, access to information on different types of financing models available, and mentorship on how to pitch to potential financers for your business.

On successful completion of the training programme and fulfilment of all programme requirements outlined in the participant agreement, individuals will be awarded a certificate of completion.

Investing in arts and culture

Subsequently, projects demonstrating potential to generate income will be considered for monetary investment, with amounts of up to R35,000 available for project roll-out within a 90-day timeframe. Registered companies stand eligible for the maximum investment amount, while non-registered entities can qualify for a cash investment amount of up to R10,000.

South African internationally renowned performing artist, fashion designer, and entrepreneur Jefferson Tshabalala, who participated in cycle 3 of the programme, says: "The Thuthukisani mentorship programme has helped me understand how to scale my business. After having been at the helm of an independent SMME for several years, you get so absorbed in the day-to-day management of the business that you don’t have time to focus on growth and expansion."

He further added, "I now have someone helping me to develop this side. With newfound guidance, I'm restructuring my team to delegate responsibilities, which allows me to focus on expansion and performance ventures, including an upcoming project for the National Arts Festival."

ACT CEO Jessica Denyschen says: "As a creative entrepreneur who’s been privileged to sustain a successful career out of freelancing through my business, I’m passionate about supporting emerging arts businesses and projects that show both merit and the potential to thrive financially. Over our 30-year legacy at ACT, we’ve committed to supporting artists and entrepreneurs by providing essential training, mentorship, and investment opportunities."

Poovi Pillay, executive head of Corporate Social Investments (CSI) at Nedbank, says: "Nedbank in partnership with ACT is committed to making a positive impact on society through our focus on sustainable business creation and growth. The ACT Thuthukisani Programme Atologa 2024 is all about the development of small and medium arts enterprises throughout South Africa through the sharing of entrepreneurial skills, mentorship and investment. This empowers participants with the tools they need to operate professionally and sustainably as artists and arts entrepreneurs, and it opens doors for partnership opportunities in diverse South African communities."

The ACT Thuthukisani Programme plays a vital role in empowering and educating participants to develop their skills and business acumen to become active and contributing members of a thriving arts and culture economy.

For more, visit act.org.za/thuthukisani and apply before Sunday, 12 May 2024.