A national call to strengthen community-based arts education, skills development, and creative infrastructure across South Africa
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) has opened Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for Community Arts Centres across South Africa, inviting organisations to apply for inclusion in a national initiative to strengthen grassroots arts development. The 2026 programme seeks to identify one Community Arts Centre per province to serve as a provincial hub for arts training, mentorship, and community engagement.
Through this initiative, ACT aims to expand access to quality arts education and professional development, while supporting artists and young creatives working within local communities. The call reflects ACT’s long-term commitment to building sustainable creative ecosystems that respond to regional needs while contributing to the national cultural landscape.
Building Provincial Hubs for Arts Development
The EOI process is designed to shortlist credible, active Community Arts Centres with the capacity to host and deliver structured arts programmes. Selected centres will be considered for collaboration across a range of ACT initiatives, including skills training, business mentorship, youth development, community engagement projects, and national showcase opportunities.
ACT’s model emphasises decentralisation, recognising the vital role that community-based organisations play in nurturing talent, providing access to creative resources, and sustaining cultural life beyond major urban centres.
Eligibility and Institutional Capacity
To be considered, applicant centres must demonstrate a functioning physical facility suitable for arts programming, including rehearsal rooms, studios, or performance spaces, as well as reliable internet access and a safe, accessible environment for participants and staff.
Governance and compliance are central to the selection process. Eligible centres must be legally registered entities with sound governance structures, financial management systems, and at least one recent financial statement or report. Applicants are also expected to have at least two full-time staff members, including a centre manager or administrator, and qualified or experienced arts facilitators.
Programme Delivery, Impact, and Community Reach
ACT is seeking centres with a strong track record of consistent annual programming in areas such as arts training, youth development, and community outreach. Applicants must demonstrate measurable impact through supporting documentation, including photographs, evaluation reports, testimonials, or media coverage.
Equally important is the ability to host and manage multi-month training programmes, supported by clear monitoring and evaluation systems. Centres should be able to track attendance, participant progress, and programme outcomes, and commit to regular reporting in line with ACT’s requirements.
Partnerships and community reach are also key considerations. Centres are encouraged to demonstrate strong relationships with local schools, artists, and cultural stakeholders, as well as experience working with diverse audiences and inclusive practices.
Submission Requirements and Deadline
Interested Community Arts Centres are required to submit a comprehensive EOI via ACT’s online application platform. Submissions must include a letter of motivation outlining the organisation’s vision, mission, programmes, beneficiaries, and alignment with ACT’s ethos, alongside an organisational portfolio, compliance documents, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and at least two references.
All applications must be submitted by Friday, 30 January 2026.
Strengthening Creative Infrastructure Nationwide
This call forms part of ACT’s broader strategy to invest in long-term creative infrastructure and support sustainable career pathways for artists across disciplines. By partnering with established Community Arts Centres, ACT aims to create meaningful opportunities for skills transfer, mentorship, and visibility, while reinforcing the role of arts organisations as vital community anchors.
Community Arts Centres interested in applying can access the full application details and submission portal at www.act.org.za/outreachprogrammes.
