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Visit the culture portals of South Africa<br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.artslink.co.za">Artslink</a><br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.artzone.co.za">Artzone</a>
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<u><b>The Mandate</b></u>
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The National Arts Council of South Africa was established by legislation (the National Arts Council Act) on April 1, 1997. The Act provides that the objects of the Council are:
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(a) to provide, and encourage the provision of, opportunities for persons to practise the arts; <br />
(b) to promote the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the arts;<br />
(c) to promote the general application of the arts in the community;<br />
(d) to foster the expression of a national identity and consciousness by means of the arts;<br />
(e) to uphold and promote the right of any person to freedom in the practice of the arts;<br />
(f) to give the historically disadvantaged such additional help and resources as are required to give them greater access to the arts;<br />
(g) to address historical imbalances in the provision of infrastructure for the promotion of the arts;<br />
(h) to promote and facilitate national and international liaison between individuals and institutions in respect of the arts;<br />
(i) to develop and promote the arts and to encourage excellence in regard to these.
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The Council serves professional arts, community arts, music, theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, cultural animation, training of artists and/or cultural workers, writing, and arts education.
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The Council
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<li>provides financial support to arts/cultural organisations </li>
<li>provides financial support to individuals in the arts/culture </li>
<li>advises the national government on matters related to the arts/culture </li>
<li>develops national arts/cultural policies </li>
<li>implements national arts/cultural policies </li>
<li>evaluates national arts/cultural policies </li>
<li>conducts research in the arts/culture </li>
<li>promotes public understanding and appreciation of the arts/culture </li>
<li>has lead responsibility at the national level for coordinating international cultural relations and exchanges </li>
<li>provides training and professional development in artistic/cultural fields. </li>
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<u><b>The Governing Body</b></u>
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The governing body of the Council consists of 21 members who are nominated by the public and appointed by the Minister responsible for arts and culture. The National Arts Council Act requires that the composition of this body must be broadly representative of the gender, language and community composition of the country. Equal opportunity is to be accorded to nominees by geographic location, gender and cultural field. Members cannot hold office in a political party or political organisation.
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Members of the Council are appointed for 3-year terms. There is a procedure for participation by the public in the selection process: members of the public nominate candidates. The NAC Act describes how a short list must be obtained from the public with the aid of an independent panel.
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<u><b>The Staff</b></u>
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The staff of the NAC are not government employees. At present, the Council has 16 staff members. The chief executive officer is appointed by the governing body.
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The staff who have direct program responsibilities do not necessarily come from the field, that is, with previous experience working directly in the arts, though that experience is considered an advantage. The Council does not have regional offices.
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<u><b>Relationship with Government</b></u>
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The National Arts Council of South Africa has an arms length relationship with government. The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology is the government department with which the Council has the closest relationship. Regular meetings are held between the Councils Executive Committee and senior departmental officials and between the Board and the Minister, and the Council makes regular reports on its activities to government.
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The Council's financial accounts are audited by the government auditor, and it is required to file an annual report.
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The Government
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<li>appoints the members of the governing body </li>
<li>determines the amount of funding the Council will receive. </li>
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The Council
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<ul>
<li>determines its own policies </li>
<li>determines its own current priorities </li>
<li>establishes its own strategic plan </li>
<li>appoints its chief executive officer </li>
<li>selects its other staff members </li>
<li>determines the allocation of the budget to various programs and activities </li>
<li>establishes its various funding programs </li>
<li>determines who will receive its financial support </li>
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The government can indicate national development priorities and negotiate with the National Arts Council, but it cannot tell the Council how much to give to any applicant.
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The Council cooperates with other funding bodies in South Africa which are independent of the Council.
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<u><b>Budget and Revenue Sources</b></u>
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The organisation's total budget in the current year is R25 m (approx. &nbsp;US$3.6m in). 100% is contributed by the national government. The Council receives annual funding from the government's general revenues or culture budget. Over the last five years, funding from government has increased, except during 1999 and 2000 when funds remained at the same level.
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<u><b>Programs of Financial Support for the Arts/Cultural Community</b></u>
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The NAC provides financial support to organisations and individuals. Most of the programs are organised by discipline or sector.
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Council funds can be used for
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<li>creation </li>
<li>research and development </li>
<li>production, presentation and exhibition </li>
<li>publication (to a limited extent) </li>
<li>operations of an organisation </li>
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Museums, film and video, competitions and prizes are not supported by the Council.
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<u><b>Assessment of Applications for Financial Support</b></u>
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Applications for financial support are assessed by advisory panels. The peer assessors are nominated by the public and appointed by the Minister. They make funding recommendations to the Councils Executive Committee.
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Peer assessors may serve for a maximum of two years and then must be off for two years before having another term. Panelists may not apply for funding for themselves during their tenure as assessors, and they may not directly or indirectly benefit from NAC funding. The NAC Act prescribes conflict of interest rules for panelists and members of the Council.
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<u><b>Unique or Special Features of the Organization</b></u>
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Nine members of the Board must be representatives from the nine provinces of South Africa.&nbsp; The NAC now has a policy development section which will enable the Council to fulfil its mandate as the Minister's advisor in matters of arts policy.
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<u><b>Greatest Current Challenge</b></u>
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The greatest current challenge is developing policies for the arts in general and for the performing arts in particular.
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<u><b>Greatest Current Strength</b></u>
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The Council's greatest strength at the present time is that it is funding community-based organisations and previously unfunded arts organisations and individuals.&nbsp; In 2003, the Council had four successful initiatives:
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<li>&quot;Writers' Grants&quot; - 20 grants were given to authors </li>
<li>&quot;Search for the New Plays&quot; - 20 grants were given to playwrights </li>
<li>New Choreography Workshops - the NAC funded a dance organisation to run national workshops for young choreographers.&nbsp; This continues into the current year with an emphasis on traditional dance </li>
<li>Provincial Craft Fairs - these were held in five provinces that were ready for the initiative.</li>
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The NAC is now involved with international arts funding bodies.&nbsp; As a result the NAC is currently managing three projects in partnership with the relevant arts councils;
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<li>The Flemish/South Africa Local Culture Policy Project - this is aimed at creating tools for the development of local cultural policies within metropolitan cities and in local authorities </li>
<li>The Swedish/South Africa Culture Fund - this project is SIDA Overseas Development money to strengthen South African arts and culture institutions </li>
<li>The Norwegian/South Africa Music Education Project to fund music projects.</li>
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