The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture is advocating for a new funding model for National Community Art Centres across South Africa. Stakeholders are set to deliberate on the matter during a four-day Indaba currently underway at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre.
The initiative comes amid operational challenges faced by several of the country’s 166 Community Art Centres. Department Director-General Dr Cynthia Khumalo described the current funding system as unsustainable.
“We’ve long wanted to change the funding approach. Previously, the Department directly funded centres, but this did not benefit all centres equally and often depended on personal connections. We now want to bring the provinces on board as strategic partners, sharing responsibility for the development programme,” Khumalo said.
She expressed confidence in the agreements signed with partners on the first day of the Indaba and described the move as a key step in revitalising Art Centres, supporting the development of young talent, and ensuring funding is used efficiently to deliver tangible outcomes.
