Gauteng SRAC Reports 89% Performance: Are Artists Feeling the Difference?

The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SRAC) has reported a strong level of performance for the 2025/26 financial year, achieving 89% of its annual performance targets and spending 96% of its allocated budget.

The figures were contained in the department’s annual report, which was tabled at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on Friday, 4 September 2026.

According to the department, its performance demonstrates progress in driving service delivery, strengthening accountability and creating an enabling environment in which communities can thrive.

But while the figures present a positive picture on paper, an important question remains for Gauteng’s creative community:

Are artists and creatives actually feeling the impact of this performance?

For artists working across music, visual arts, theatre, dance, literature, crafts, film and other creative disciplines, government performance is ultimately measured not only by targets achieved or budgets spent, but by what changes on the ground.

Are more artists receiving meaningful support?

Are funding opportunities becoming more accessible and transparent?

Are emerging creatives from townships and previously underserved communities getting opportunities to develop sustainable careers?

And perhaps most importantly, are artists seeing tangible results from the resources allocated to the arts and culture sector?

The 96% budget expenditure figure also raises an important conversation. While spending a large proportion of an allocated budget can indicate strong implementation, artists may reasonably want to know where that money went, who benefited and what long-term impact those programmes created.

For many creatives, government support is not simply about receiving grants. It can include access to venues, professional development, markets, equipment, commissions, festivals, public art opportunities, intellectual property support and platforms that allow artists to turn their creative work into sustainable livelihoods.

The department’s reported 89% achievement against its annual targets therefore provides an opportunity to examine the experiences behind the numbers.

Are Gauteng artists happy with the outcomes reported by SRAC?

Or is there still a gap between government performance reports and the everyday realities experienced by creatives?

The answers may differ depending on an artist’s discipline, location, career stage and experience with government programmes. An established artist may have different experiences from an emerging musician, township-based visual artist, craft producer or independent creative entrepreneur.

For this reason, the annual report should not only be viewed as a measurement of government performance. It should also become a starting point for dialogue between government and the creative sector.

Artists have an important role to play in assessing whether the department’s reported achievements are translating into meaningful change.

As Gauteng continues to position the creative economy as an important contributor to employment, economic participation and social development, the voices of artists themselves must remain part of the conversation.

The numbers tell us what government says it achieved. The creative community must tell us whether it felt the difference.

Imbizo Magazine wants to hear from Gauteng artists and creatives: Are you satisfied with the support and opportunities provided by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation during the 2025/26 financial year? What has improved, and what still needs to change?