Do you dream of publishing your first book, producing your first play or recording your first album, but have no money to make these dreams a reality? The Debut Fund Programme is for you.

The Department of Arts and Culture, in partnership with the Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), have launched a fund to help emerging artists.

“Debut Fund Programme creates training, mentoring and funding opportunities for young artists from all disciplines making their debut. In partnership with BASA, it is anticipated that this fund will support young artists from all over the country to take their first steps as professional artists,” says Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

The programme intends to identify 25 people per province for the programme, and over 38 weeks will receive on the ground training and mentorship from seasoned artists. Following the training, artist will have the opportunity to pitch for funding to pursue their projects.

“The fund will make quarterly awards to a maximum value of R300 000, providing opportunities to develop new local content and for that all important ‘break’ in their career,” says the minister.

To learn more about the fund, you can visit the Department of Arts and Cultures website here: http://www.dac.gov.za/

Applications close on 1 August 2017