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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON 02 ARTS & CULTUREARTS TRUST CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT 04 To attract and provide funding CONTENTS for the sustainable development ACT PROGRAMMES OVERVIEW 06 and growth of the arts, culture and heritage in South Africa, ANNUAL ACT AWARDS 08 actualised through mutually beneficial partnerships between ACT CONFERENCE 16 the corporate, public and cultural sectors focused on making a ACT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 27 positive difference to the lives of all South Africans. ACT BUILDING BLOCKS PROGRAMME 32 ACT SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAMME 35 ACT INTERNSHIPS 42 FINANCIAL REPORT 44 To establish a self-sustaining perpetual fund for the SPONSORS 46 development of arts, culture and heritage in South Africa. SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS 49 1 “SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1994, ACT HAS MADE MORE THAN R20 MILLION AVAILABLE TO MORE THAN 800 PROJECTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY” THE BUSINESS OF running and culture in South Africa. in the local arts and culture Taking stock of our efforts an arts organisation, not The organisation’s tangible development and funding over the past year reminded only in South Africa but also and intangible outcomes are landscape. During this time the me of American author, all over the world, can be a testament to a well thought Trust consistently contributed political activist and lecturer, challenging one, especially through plan implemented by to the development of the Helen Keller’s thoughts about during tough economic times. dedicated and loyal staff. industry through programmes, achievement – “Optimism The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Our partners and ad hoc projects, advocacy and is the faith that leads to is also not your run-of-the- beneficiaries have also funding. Since its inception achievement. Nothing can mill arts organisation. It is stepped up to the challenge in 1994, ACT has made more be done without hope and a complex structure with of producing cutting-edge than R20 million available confidence.” In conclusion, I so many variables that a artistic products and offering to more than 800 projects would like to extend a special strategic approach is of services of the highest calibre. from across the country. In word of the thanks to the utmost importance. I believe We extend heartfelt thanks to addition, it has also grown Trustees and the ACT staff for the Board of Trustees has the numerous stakeholders the endowment to around the their indisputable optimism risen to the challenge and that worked with us to achieve same amount. Converting an that has brought us to this crafted a dynamic plan to common goals – goals initial investment of R5 million point. We are indeed looking achieve our goals. that have resulted in the into roughly R42 million is no forward to another 20 years of For me and my fellow development of the industry, mean feat. The Trustees and making a positive impact on Trustees, it is important as well as the investment in the Trust’s employees can the lives of all South Africans that ACT maintain a strong the livelihoods of artists and be proud of their prudence, through the celebration and financial position so that practitioners. persistence and good old hard empowerment of creativity. the Trust’s programmes can During the year under work that attracted valuable have a meaningful impact review we celebrated 20 years and significant sponsorships MELISSA GOBA on the development of arts of playing a strategic role and partners. CHAIRPERSON 2 3 ITALIAN SCULPTOR, “WE STRIVE TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S PAINTER, architect and poet, Michelangelo’s quote about AND CHANGE THE WORLD AROUND achievement rings very true US FOR THE BETTER” for us at the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT). He said that, “The greater danger for most of us to the investment mandate organisations, has once areas such as the Northern lies not in setting our aim too not being implemented yet, again offered practitioners a and Eastern Cape. Since high and falling short; but in the Trust made progress rare opportunity to develop the programme’s inception setting our aim too low, and regarding capital growth, with their arts management skills in 2009, ACT allocated achieving our mark.” the value of the investment through a series of master scholarships to the value of We strive to achieve portfolio increasing by 4% classes. During the year more than R1.2 million. excellence and change the during the year under review. under review 70 beneficiaries The 2014 annual ACT world around us for the Through the Trust’s received this opportunity at Awards presented a better. Sometimes we reach programmes ACT continued no cost. valuable opportunity for our goals and other times to support artists and The annual arts and culture the organisation to reflect we do not quite hit the mark. practitioners from across the conference offered a valuable and celebrate 20 years of However, when that happens country. The restructured platform for stakeholders to playing a strategic role in we return to the drawing Professional Development explore creative and cultural the South African arts and board and review and assess, Programme made provision entrepreneurship and was culture environment. A key and prepare to try again. This for the support of projects attended by stakeholders and component of the Trust’s ethos has seen ACT achieve across arts disciplines. While key role players, from the contributions to the industry is many worthwhile goals. projects in urban centres country and the continent. the acknowledgement of the A rigorous evaluation have still received the biggest The Trust was able to increase phenomenal individuals who of the Trust’s financial portion of grants, there was the number of sponsored have consistently produced model and its investment a reasonable increase of conference passes by 46% artistic output of the highest mandate was prompted 10% in support of projects and the overall attendance of standard. by the desire to focus on in underserviced areas. The delegates increased by 15%. I conclude by extending capital growth expressed overall allocation of grants has Participation in the sincere thanks to the in the organisation’s five- increased by 18% during the Scholarships Programme Board of Trustees for their year strategic plan. On the year ending 31 March 2015. has increased by 19%, with valuable contributions basis of the findings of The Building Blocks the majority of the increase and commitment to the assessment, the Trust Programme, which aims attributed to young performers the Trust’s work. embarked on a transition from to increase the capacity from underserviced areas. This a defensive to a balanced and sustainability of South also reflects in the number PIETER JACOBS strategy. Despite the changes African arts and culture of finalists that were from CEO 4 5 NO DISBURSEMENTS WERE MADE DURING 2008 WHILE THE TRUST WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ACT PROGRAMMES RESTRUCTURING ITS OPERATIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN THE ADOPTION OF A PROGRAMMATIC APPROACH. ANNUAL ACT AWARDS THE FIGURES INCLUDE: The ACT Awards are held annually in recognition and T ACT Discretionary Grants celebration of excellence in South African arts, culture T ACT Building Blocks Programme and creativity. T ACT | BLA Festivals T ACT Bursaries ACT ARTS & CULTURE CONFERENCE T ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Scholarships Programme The Arts & Culture Conference is aimed at sharing Note: Graphs do not include the Annual ACT Awards information with stakeholders in the creative economy with a view to developing, inspiring and enabling the sector. 1996 96,000 ACT BUILDING BLOCKS PROGRAMME 1997 729,000 The aim of the Building Blocks Programme is to strengthen 1998 1,140,395 the infrastructure that supports arts, culture and heritage 1999 1,287,600 programming and services. It seeks to strengthen local 2000 1,173,900 organisations through cultural planning, technical 2001 1,032,720 assistance, master classes and other developmental efforts. 2002 31,326 2003 219,150 ACT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2004 1,159,195 This Development Programme has been designed 2005 3,933,480 to enhance the continued development of arts and 2006 1,490,000 culture in South Africa, and provides support for 2007 1,035,000 artistic excellence in creative production, professional 2008 development and training for the youth in the form of 2009 1,550,000 once-off grants. 2010 1,100,000 2011 800,000 ACT SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAMME 2012 3,005,000 The Scholarships Programme makes grants available for 2013 933,580 the costs of undergraduate study in the performing arts at 2014 897,500 a leading accredited South African tertiary institution. 2015 1,141,711 6 7 THE ARTS & CULTURE Advocacy. The prestigious into Dance Mophatong Rights of Desire, The into English. He has won Trust (ACT) Awards are held ACT Lifetime Achievement and Well Worn Theatre Other Side of Silence and the CNA Award three times, annually in recognition and Awards honour arts Company. ACT Scholarship most recently, Philida, the Hertzog Prize twice, celebration of excellence in professionals whose recipients Tankiso which was longlisted for and was twice shortlisted South African arts, culture extraordinary careers have Mamabolo, Arlin Bantam, the Man Booker Prize in for the Booker Prize. Brink and creativity. had a profound and lasting Katlego Nche and Chantél 2012. He became the is the recipient of the Prix For seventeen years impact on arts, culture Evans were also given an first Afrikaans writer to Médicis Étranger, Premio the ACT Awards have and heritage, and whose opportunity to perform have a novel, Kennis van Mondello, Monismanien recognised and rewarded lifetime achievements have and entertain guests under die Aand, banned by Human Rights Award, outstanding individuals, contributed significantly to the musical direction of the apartheid censors the Martin Luther King who have contributed to the enrichment of cultural previous ACT Chairman and in 1973.