National Arts Festival longer ‘with or without R 150M’

From the Independent Media Group Tuesday 02 February 2010

Luvuyo Mjekula


Despite uncertainty surrounding R 150 Million promised to World Cup related arts and culture projects , the 2010 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown would not be shortend, organizers said yesterday. Festival chief executive Tony Lancaster said: ”We are committed to holding a 15 day festival in 2010 – the World Cup presents our artists with an opportunity too good to miss. One way or the other we will make it work. While the World Cup funding would “help us enormously … to present a truly world class event”, Lancaster said the festival is set to go ahead with funding from its other sponsors. “If we should receive additional funding from the Department of Arts ad Culture then our plans will scale up accordingly and we can invest in a greater number of productions and projects.”
Organisers extended the 10-day annual event to 15 days because of the World Cup.

They submitted an application for the funding to the Arts and Culture Department last year but have had no reply.

Department spokesman Mack Lewele yesterday said they would release a statement on the funding soon.

This followed a report that R 150 M pledged last year by the Department of Arts and Culture to fund projects linked to the event has not been delivered.

Scores of group and individuals who applied for funding had not received a response.

Source: Cape Times, Independent Media Group