The Department of Arts and Culture received an impressive 27% increase in the National Budget announced by Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, on Wednesday 26 February.
The Department of Arts and Culture received an impressive 27% increase in the National Budget announced by Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, on Wednesday 26 February.
Funding for the Department will increase from R2.8 billion last year, to R3.5 billion for the 2014/15 financial year.
This is an acknowledgement that the creative industries can make major contributions to South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) through job creation and the opening up of economic opportunities, according to National Arts Festival CEO, Tony Lankester.
He said the R700 million increase in the Department's budget is "very positive for the sector", although there isn’t likely to be any direct financial impact on the Festival of this increase.
"We have just finished the first year of a three-year contract with the Department of Arts and Culture, and the amounts they are investing in the Festival are locked in for the period of the contract. But as investment in other parts of the sector increases – and we see greater level of support for our artists, performing arts companies, crafters and other events – the industry as a whole benefits."
"This benefit extends to the quality and variety of work we will be able to stage at the Festival, and the experience we can create for audiences. The arts sector is a complex ecosystem – and as one part of the system grows and improves, it has a ripple effect on other parts," Lankester said.
In the Budget documentation, the department stresses not only the contribution of the arts to “social cohesion” and “nation-building”, but also to job creation, small business development, urban development and renewal, and rural development.
“The building of arts, culture and heritage infrastructure such as libraries, heritage monuments and arts centres, in rural areas, will continue to be a priority,” the document stated.
Lankester agrees: "As we saw with the release a few weeks ago of the Rhodes Economic Impact Study (which is consistent with other studies conducted worldwide), it is not just the artists but also the tourism and hospitality industries which benefit from events like the Festival," Lankester said.
"The Finance Minister’s announcement reinforces the notion that the arts is not just about having fun and throwing parties – it is a serious business and, importantly, has a hugely important role to play in both job creation and development of an entrepreneur class; and nation and identity building, by getting South Africans to talk to and listen to each other," he said.
Another local, arts-related project, which has been funded by the Department is a new R115 million building for Grahamstown’s National English Literary Museum.
Construction on the building will begin soon. It will be constructed according to the Green Business Guide and will be South Africa's first Green Museum.
