Culture
The ACT was launched in October 1994 to finance and manage funding for the arts in South Africa. The trust, with former President Nelson Mandela as its chief patron, has Nedbank, Sun International, the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Vodacom and the Dutch Government as its major funders. The trust also seeks to build a better arts and culture dispensation through proactive initiatives including:
fora, conferences and campaigns concerning strategic issues, such as support for the arts through the National Lottery
the annual ACT Awards, which recognise the important contributions of role-players such as administrators, journalists and educators
establishing mutually beneficial relationships between the trust and the arts and culture community.
The ACT is the oldest independent body established to fund arts and culture in post-apartheid South Africa. It has funded more than 500 projects across the spectrum in arts, culture and heritage. Early in 2006, the ACT Board approved support to the value of R1 million for a further 31 projects in 11 disciplines.
The ACT focuses on the development of job creation, creative skills, management skills, cultural diversity and cultural tourism marketing.
