Twenty seven organisations who run arts, culture and heritage programmes have benefited from the Community, Arts and Culture Development Department’s last Grant-in-Aid (GIA) allocation of nearly R3,2 million.
The GIA process kicked off in July 2024, with an open call for applications from organisations working in the arts and culture space.
After a rigorous process, including information sessions to ensure that applicants understood all of the requirements, the list of beneficiaries was approved by the full Council a few months ago.
Recently, the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Service and Health, Councillor Francine Higham visited some of the recipients to do official cheque handovers and learn more about their operations and programmes.
‘I am inspired and in awe of the amazing work being done in so many of our communities, using arts and culture to break down barriers and build resilient communities. These grants have been game changers for some of the recipients, and the City is excited to work with them to create opportunities for young and old to experience community based art, and to increase and share perspectives and ideas about Cape Town’s diverse cultural heritage,’ said Councillor Higham.
Applications included a wide range of organisations that support and promote different art genres such as visual, performing and indigenous art, public art and therapeutic art interventions.
The list of recipients and areas of implementation can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/4nrhnb4
One of the representatives of Foundations for Youth Development (an organisation supported through Grant-in-Aid), Thandisile Fatyela received an award for the Mail and Guardian 200 Young South Africans Awards 2025 under the category of Climate Change and Environment.
For more information on Grant-in-Aid please visit https://www.capetown.gov.za/grants-in-aid. Enquiries with regards to Grant-in-Aid can also be sent to artsandculture.gia@capetown.gov.za
The City is preparing for the next round of GIA applications – details around the application process will be communicated in the next month.
