The City of Cape Town is set to allocate R19 million for cultural hubs and in the arts—from the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra to organisations that provide a safe haven through creativity.
Cape Town, South Africa (18 September 2023) – Cape Town and the arts have an important relationship. Evident on buildings that become canvases in the CBD and beyond, as the beating heart of Woodstock, First Thursdays across the city and in theatres from the Atlantic Seaboard to Obs, the arts are citizens all their own.
However, support for the arts universally is often and unfortunately something of a struggle. So, when the City of Cape Town shared that it is expanding its social support net with the department’s Arts & Culture branch set to financial support in the millions, creative ears perked up.
Not only is this an important promise for the city’s performers and budding talents, but also for community organisations, vulnerable groups and Social Development/Early Childhood Development counterparts who often use the arts or artistic programmes as safe havens for those young and old.
After highlighting city-led programmes from last year including the Expanded Public Works Programme and Strengthening Families programme, the City of Cape Town turned its focus to the arts.
The announcement shared that Arts & Culture is making available R19 million in funding to key cultural hubs including Artscape, the Cape Town Opera, Cape Town Ballet, the Baxter Theatre and the Cape Town Philarmonic Orchestra alongside community organisations after they apply to benefit through the City’s open call.
Mayco Member Patricia Van der Ross highlighted organisations and NGOs within the arts who provide safe havens through creativity, emphasising that they should make sure they have all the relevant criteria and documents in order ahead of time in light of the open call.
While the open call has not yet been made available, organisations are encouraged to keep up with the city, apply and hold the relevant departments accountable.
by 