The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) is pleased to announce the list of successful
applicants who responded to the 2025 Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP6) call
for funding across seven (7) arts disciplines namely: Music, Literature, Visual Arts, Crafts, Theatre,
Dance and Multidiscipline. The Call opened on 16 September 2025 and closed on 09 October 2025.
Through the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), the Presidency made funding available
to the creative and cultural sector for disbursement through the National Arts Council and other
implementing agencies, marking the sixth round of the Presidential Employment Stimulus
Programme. The NAC received a total allocation of R112 111 000.00 for direct disbursement to
arts practitioners.
The PESP 6 initiative seeks to stimulate economic activity by supporting projects that generate
employment opportunities within the creative and cultural sectors. The programme forms part of
the broader national effort to accelerate economic recovery, restoration, and reconstruction
following the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, PESP 6 endeavours to
advance government priorities on job creation, with particular emphasis on designated groups,
namely women, youth, and persons living with disabilities.
A total of 4115 applications were received across the seven disciplines, collectively requesting R1
956 683 500.75 in funding.
The adjudication process was undertaken by duly appointed independent advisory panels across
the 7 arts disciplines. Each of the advisory panels chaired by a member of Council, who fulfilled an
oversight function only and did not participate in the adjudication, in strict adherence to Section
11(2) of the National Arts Council Act, 1997
The NAC Council and Management are pleased to confirm that four hundred and twenty-four
(424) applications were approved for funding across the identified disciplines. The allocation of
the R112 111 000.00 budget is reflected below:
