The Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme 6 (PESP 6) is a funding call from the National Arts Council (NAC) of South Africa. It aims to help artists, creative workers, and cultural organisations to recover, rebuild, and create jobs after the damage the creative sector suffered during COVID-19.
Requirements
PESP 6 is open to:
- Individual arts practitioners (for example choreographers, composers, visual artists, scriptwriters, performers).
- Registered arts organisations, groups, institutions, and community arts centres.
- Applicants must be South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees. Priority goes to citizens.
- Applicants working for government departments or government-funded entities cannot apply.
- Only one application per applicant is allowed — either as an individual or as an organisation.
What kinds of projects are funded
You can apply for many kinds of arts and culture projects in PESP 6. These include:
- Workshops, exhibitions, showcases, and performances.
- Creation of new works: dance, music, visual arts, theatre, literature, scriptwriting.
- Training, capacity-building, and artist residencies.
- Projects with Indigenous South African art forms and protecting indigenous intellectual property are especially encouraged.
- Projects must show how they will create jobs in the arts and culture sector, and ideally also bring wider economic benefits.
Project sizes, money & job requirements
There are three categories in terms of how much support you can ask for, and how many jobs your project must create:
| Category | Maximum Funding | Minimum Number of Jobs / Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Major Arts / Culture Project | Up to R800 000 | Must propose at least 70 job opportunities. Also needs a national footprint, capacity building, youth participation, and inclusion of vulnerable groups. |
| Medium Scale Arts / Culture Project | Up to R500 000 | Must propose at least 40 job opportunities. Also must show audience development and inclusion. |
| Other Arts / Culture Project | Up to R300 000 | Assessed mainly on artistic merit, but still must focus on youth and vulnerable groups. |
Running costs are allowed but cannot exceed 15 % of your budget, and only if they are tied to your actual project.
Important dates & deadlines
- Opening date: 16 September 2025
- Closing date: 09 October 2025 at 23:59 for online applications
- For manual (paper / courier) applications: must arrive by 17:00 on 09 October 2025
- Outcome date: 01 December 2025
- All successful projects must be completed by 31 March 2026
What is not funded
Some things are excluded. PESP 6 will not fund:
- Infrastructure costs (such as building venues or studios).
- Equipment purchases (musical instruments, sound systems, stage gear).
- General magazines, video/film projects, church choirs, competitions or award ceremonies.
- Personal commissions, vanity press publishing, or book collections.
How to apply
- Applications must be submitted online via the NAC Grants Management System (GMS) at nac.praxisgms.co.za.
- If you do not have internet access, manual applications are possible by contacting the NAC offices or sending an email request.
- Supporting documents are required, such as certified ID, proof of banking, and project details.
Tips to increase your chance of success
Here are some suggestions so your proposal is strong:
- Show clearly how many jobs will be created, and who will benefit (youth, women, vulnerable groups).
- Demonstrate how your project will impact the community (audience development, training, outreach).
- Include training or skills development where possible.
- Highlight indigenous cultural content or heritage if relevant.
- Make sure your budget is realistic and excludes disallowed items.
- Submit before the deadline — late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Why this is important
- This funding helps artists and creatives survive financially.
- It supports job creation in the creative sector.
- It revives arts and culture in communities, especially those in under-resourced areas.
- Thriving arts also boost tourism and local businesses.
What to do now
- Decide if you or your organisation qualify to apply.
- Read the official PESP 6 Guidelines carefully.
- Plan your project: outline activities, job creation, and community impact.
- Prepare your budget and all supporting documents.
- Submit your application before 09 October 2025.
- Await results on 1 December 2025.
Also check: SASSA SRD Grant Payment Dates for September 2025
The National Arts Council (NAC) PESP 6 Funding is a golden opportunity for South African artists, groups, and cultural organisations. If your project can create jobs, include youth and vulnerable groups, and bring culture to your community, you may qualify for funding up to R800 000. Apply correctly, prepare all your documents, and make sure you meet the deadline.
