The Arts Culture Trust (ACT), in partnership with the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) and Nedbank Arts Affinity, is pleased to announce an increase in the value of their Performing Arts Scholarships for local aspirant performers.
These scholarships are awarded to ambitious youngsters keen to embark on a career in the performing arts, through an annual country-wide competition. Through this generous injection of funds from the sponsors, an additional scholarship will be awarded from 2013; providing a substantial boost to the Performing Arts Scholarships Programme and increasing the total value of the scholarships awarded by more than R100,000.
Maseda Ratshikuni, Head: Cause Marketing at Nedbank says they are delighted to be part of this initiative yet again. “Nedbank has a proud history of supporting the arts, through our Arts Affinity programme which has contributed nearly R15 million in support of more than 700 arts, culture and heritage projects countrywide. We are highly involved in the communities we serve. Our support of the ACT Scholarships Programme demonstrates our commitment to the development, promotion and preservation of the arts in our country.” he says.
Since the inception of the programme in 2009, six scholarships to the value of more than R600,000 have been awarded. Steve Norman won the inaugural Scholarship and is currently in his final year of Theatre and Performance studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT). In 2010 Zola Myeza from KwaZulu-Natal walked away with a Scholarship and is also enrolled at UCT. In 2011 two Scholarships were awarded – Nomagugu Gumede from KwaZulu-Natal enrolled at Howard College; and Tankiso Mamabolo from the Eastern Cape is now in her second year of study at UCT. Chantel Evans and Amanda Kunene each won a R105,000 Scholarship in 2012, and are enrolled at Tswhane University of Technology’s Musical Theatre Department and at Howard College respectively.
Three scholarships will be awarded in 2013, to the values of R150,000; R105,000 and R60,000; totaling R315,000.
“There are not many bursaries and scholarships available that cater for students in the performing arts. Through this programme; ACT, DALRO and Nedbank help many young performers like me to believe in and achieve our dreams,” says Tankiso Mamabolo, winner of a 2011 Scholarship.
The ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarships Programme is aimed at Grade 12 learners and undergraduates younger than 25 years of age who are not considered to be professional performing artists. The programme takes the form of a competition where participants are assessed on their acting, dancing and singing potential and culminates in a final showcase before an independent panel comprising judges the likes of popular artist HHP, producers Hazel Feldman and Richard Loring, television personality Kim Cloete and internationally acclaimed choreographer Gregory Maqoma, among others.
“DALRO is very excited to once-again be a partner in this important initiative. The nurturing and development of South Africa’s young talent has always been a meaningful part of DALRO’s work in the industry. We look forward to another exciting year of finding and rewarding the best of the best from our country’s musical theatre hopefuls” says Adv Nathi Gaisa, Managing Director of DALRO.
Scholarship winners are at liberty to select their preferred performing arts course at any accredited South African tertiary institution. The next three Scholarship winners will be announced at a final round hosted by UJ Arts Culture at the University of Johannesburg on 30 September 2013.
The Scholarships Programme is currently open for registrations until 31 May 2013. For more information or to register for participation please visit www.act.org.za.
URL: http://www.act.org.za
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Author: Fiona Gordon from The Famous Idea Trading Co.. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za.
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2012 Finalists of the ACT-Scholarships Photographer:
Scholarship Winner 2010 Nedbank Zola Myeza
