The Presidency has made funds available for another Employment Stimulus Programme in the sector to be disbursed via the NAC and other funding agencies. This Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP3) is a continuation of the previously announced government’s initiative geared towards employment creation for artists, creatives, heritage sector workers and cultural workers.

The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) is therefore delighted to announce that the PESP3 Call for Project Funding Applications opened on Monday, the 20th of June 2022 and will be closing on the 29th of July 2022.

This invitation is open to practitioners who are active in the disciplines of craft, dance, literature, multidiscipline, music, theatre and visual arts, to submit their applications for this funding.

The main aim of this PESP3 is to provide an economic stimulus to support initiatives that create jobs in the creative and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, it is anticipated that the funding will create employment opportunities in the sector and also become a multiplier effect in the creation of employment opportunities beyond the sector.

The funding threshold for PESP3 is up to R3 million for applicants who propose to create at least 200 job opportunities including the number of artists to be employed and their project should have a national footprint, capacity building, audience development and focus on youth participation.

There are varying thresholds for different funding streams and all details pertaining to applicable individuals, organisations and venues are available on the NAC website. All applicants are urged to be cautious in making submissions for the funding streams best aligned with their envisaged outcomes paying attention to the employment potential of endeavours. All projects will be assessed on their artistic merit, alignment with NAC outcomes and proposed economic benefit.