Local artists will have better job options thanks to a breakthrough collaboration between numerous art festivals and The Jobs Fund.
The Festival Enterprise Catalyst (FEC) project, a collaboration between the National Arts Festival, Nasionale Afrikaanse Teater-inisiatief (NATi), Concerts SA, Woordfees, Aardklop, Suidooster Fees, KKNK, and the Tribuo Fund, with support from The Jobs Fund, will invest R20 million over two years to create, present, support, and tour productions throughout the country.
The Jobs Fund has contributed R10 million to the initiative, with the remaining R10 million coming from additional partners.
The FEC project intends to invest in new work and sustain existing productions, offering stable revenue prospects for artists, technicians, and creatives while also stimulating greater exposure through collaborative efforts to bring international producers to South African festivals.
Monica Newton, CEO of the famous National Arts Festival, described the collaboration as a historic moment in the arts business.
“By working together, we can create a more vibrant and sustainable ecosystem that benefits artists and audiences alike.”
Lionel Kunene, senior technical advisor at The Jobs Fund said that they don’t usually partner in the arts sector, but can see the potential.
“We can already see that there is real impact potential in the cultural and creative industries and that investing in this project will bring a level of sustainability to creative workers.”
Concerts SA’s Andre le Roux highlighted the importance of the creative sector for night time economies sharing: “Across the world, places with vibrant cultural scenes are places that people want to live in and visit, so the value of this initiative is not only for creatives but also for the broader economy.”
The FEC initiative will involve financial support for artists to tour their productions across various festivals, partnerships with leading South African festivals, increased opportunities for sustainable income generating and exposure, artist training and support, and job creation.
