Funding That Builds Futures: NAC Arts Organization Support Funding 2025–2028

For many arts organisations, funding is more than financial support — it is the difference between survival and sustainability, between passion projects and job-creating creative enterprises. The National Arts Council (NAC) Arts Organisation Support Funding (AOSF) Programme for 2025/26–2027/28 offers a powerful opportunity for arts organisations across South Africa to strengthen their work, grow their craft, and create lasting impact in communities.

This three-year funding programme is designed to support registered arts organisations that are actively contributing to the development of South Africa’s creative and cultural sector. If your organisation is using art to tell stories, preserve heritage, empower communities, and create employment, this funding could help you scale your vision.

Who Can Apply?

The AOSF programme is open to formally registered arts organisations, companies, and institutions operating in South Africa. To qualify:

• The organisation must be registered and operating within South Africa.
• Projects and programmes must be implemented locally.
• The lead applicant must be a South African citizen, 18 years or older.
• Organisations represented by individuals employed by government departments or public entities are not eligible.

Importantly, the NAC encourages organisations whose work stimulates the broader arts and culture sector, especially those working outside well-resourced urban centres.

Disciplines Supported

The funding is available to organisations working in the following disciplines:

• Craft
• Dance
• Literature
• Music
• Theatre
• Visual Arts
• Multidisciplinary arts

This wide scope ensures that diverse creative practices — from traditional craft to contemporary digital arts — are recognised and supported.

Three Funding Categories: Where Does Your Organisation Fit?

The AOSF programme recognises that organisations are at different stages of growth. Funding is structured across three categories:

1. Foundation Phase (1–5 years)

This category supports new and emerging arts organisations establishing innovative programmes, particularly in under-resourced and rural areas. Special consideration is given to organisations led by young people, women, and persons with disabilities, in line with transformation and redress goals.

• Funding: Up to R500,000 per annum
• Financials required: One year of financial statements (2023/24 and 2024/25)

2. Intermediate Phase (5 years or more)

This phase supports organisations that have demonstrated consistency and impact, with some level of recognition for their work.

• Funding: Up to R750,000 per annum
• Financials required: Two consecutive years of financial statements (2023/24 and 2024/25)

3. Established Phase (10 years or more)

Designed for well-established organisations with national or international recognition, this category supports major strategic projects that create employment and introduce innovative artistic work.

• Funding: Up to R1,000,000 per annum
• Financials required: Three consecutive years of financial statements (2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25)

Funding is awarded annually over a three-year period, subject to satisfactory reporting and performance.

What Can the Funding Be Used For?

The AOSF programme supports both artistic programme costs and reasonable administrative expenses linked to delivery. Running costs are allowed, provided they do not exceed 15% of the total budget (unless clearly motivated).

However, certain areas are excluded, including:

• Infrastructure development
• Purchase of equipment or musical instruments
• Architecture and interior design projects
• Seed funding
• General magazine publishing
• Non-creative writing publishing

Organisations are encouraged to design programmes that are innovative, impactful, and job-creating, rather than once-off events.

What the NAC Is Looking For: Assessment Criteria

Applications are evaluated using a clear scoring system focused on impact, sustainability, and delivery capacity.

Key focus areas include:

Programme Impact (40%)

Projects should address at least four of the following six areas:

• Social cohesion and nation building
• Marginalised and indigenous arts
• Addressing social ills such as GBV, xenophobia, drugs, and violence
• Supporting vulnerable groups (women, youth, people with disabilities)
• New works and digital arts innovation
• Capacity building and entrepreneurship

Profiling & Market Access (20%)

• Expanding audiences and markets locally and internationally
• Youth employment and development

Sustainability (10%)

• Clear plans for continuation beyond NAC funding
• Ability to attract additional funding or in-kind support

Partnerships (10%)

• Strong, sustainable collaborations that share resources and expertise

Capacity & Financial Management (20%)

• Organisational ability to deliver
• Realistic budgets aligned with activities
• Strong financial accountability systems

What You Need to Prepare

To apply, organisations must submit comprehensive documentation, including:

• Organisational profile and governance structure
• Equity and beneficiary profiles
• Three-year business plan and budget
• Reference letters (three)
• Proof of previous work (photos, videos, publications, reviews)
• Financial statements as per category requirements
• Certified ID copies and bank confirmation

Applications are submitted online via the NAC Grants Management System.

Important Dates

📌 Closing date for applications: 23 January 2026 at 11:59 PM

Late submissions will not be accepted. Manual applications are available for organisations with limited resources upon request from the NAC.

Why This Funding Matters

At its core, the Arts Organisation Support Funding Programme is about building sustainable creative ecosystems. It recognises that arts organisations are employers, educators, healers, and custodians of culture. Through this funding, organisations can:

• Create jobs for artists, administrators, and technical teams
• Preserve and innovate cultural practices
• Strengthen community-based creative economies
• Build long-term institutional sustainability

For arts organisations ready to grow their craft and expand their impact, this funding is not just support — it is an investment in South Africa’s creative future.

Imbizo Magazine encourages arts organisations across all nine provinces to take advantage of this opportunity and continue shaping stories, spaces, and livelihoods through the power of art.