Deadline: 29-May-2026
The National Arts Council South Africa’s PESP 7 funding call is a government-led stimulus program supporting arts and culture projects for the 2026–2027 financial year. It focuses on job creation, especially for youth, women, and vulnerable groups, across disciplines such as music, dance, visual arts, literature, and craft. The program funds both individuals and organisations to deliver sustainable creative projects with strong employment and community impact.
What is PESP 7?
PESP 7 (Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme) is a South African government initiative designed to support the arts and cultural sector. It aims to stimulate employment and strengthen the creative economy by funding artistic projects that generate jobs and promote cultural development.
The program was introduced as a response to the economic impact of COVID-19 on artists and cultural practitioners.
Key Objectives of the Programme
- Create employment opportunities in the arts and culture sector
- Support sustainable creative and cultural projects
- Promote youth, women, and vulnerable group participation
- Strengthen South African Indigenous art forms
- Support intellectual property development in creative industries
- Encourage innovation and community-based cultural engagement
- Stimulate recovery of the cultural economy
Eligible Disciplines
The funding supports projects across multiple creative fields:
- Craft
- Dance
- Literature
- Multidisciplinary arts
- Music
- Musical theatre
- Visual arts
Focus Areas and Project Activities
Eligible projects may include:
- Artistic creation and production
- Performances and live shows
- Exhibitions and gallery presentations
- Creative writing and publishing initiatives
- Music production and recording projects
- Dance and theatre productions
- Cultural festivals and community events
- Artist residencies and workshops
- Training and capacity-building programs
- Community-based cultural development projects
- Digital and innovative creative projects
Target Groups and Impact Priorities
The programme prioritizes:
- Youth employment in the arts sector
- Women artists and cultural practitioners
- Vulnerable and marginalized communities
- Community arts development initiatives
- Indigenous South African cultural expression
Who Can Apply?
- Individual artists
- Registered arts and cultural organisations
- Community arts centres
- Creative collectives and groups (where applicable)
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Artistic credibility and experience
- Capacity to deliver the proposed project
- Ability to create measurable employment outcomes
Funding Structure
- Funding is allocated based on project scale
- Different tiers support:
- Large-scale projects
- Medium-scale projects
- Small-scale initiatives
- Allocation depends on:
- Scope of work
- Number of jobs created
- Budget feasibility
- Project complexity
Key Requirements for Projects
All proposals must demonstrate:
- Clear and realistic implementation plan
- Detailed and feasible budget
- Strong employment creation potential
- Sustainability beyond the funding period
- Artistic quality and innovation
- Community engagement and audience development
Assessment Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Artistic quality and creative innovation
- Contribution to transformation in the arts sector
- Number and quality of jobs created
- Inclusion of youth, women, and vulnerable groups
- Experience and capability of applicants
- Financial and operational feasibility of the project
- Strength of implementation strategy
Why PESP 7 Matters
- Supports recovery of South Africa’s creative economy
- Provides income opportunities for artists and cultural workers
- Strengthens community-based cultural ecosystems
- Encourages preservation and growth of Indigenous arts
- Promotes inclusive participation in the creative sector
- Expands access to arts through innovation and digital platforms
Expected Outcomes
- Increased employment in arts and culture
- Strengthened creative industries ecosystem
- Expanded access to cultural productions
- Growth in community-based cultural initiatives
- Enhanced visibility of South African artistic expression
- Improved sustainability of creative careers
Conclusion
The National Arts Council South Africa’s PESP 7 funding call is a large-scale cultural stimulus programme designed to create jobs, strengthen artistic production, and support inclusive growth in the creative sector. By funding diverse artistic disciplines and prioritizing employment creation, innovation, and community impact, the programme plays a key role in rebuilding and expanding South Africa’s cultural economy for 2026–2027.
For more information, visit National Arts Council of South Africa.