Arts & Culture Trust presents the rebranded ACT Luminary Awards, celebrating excellence in the arts
Over the past 30 years the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) in partnership with Nedbank and Sun International has remained committed to supporting and championing excellence in the South African cultural and creative industries. ACT has consistently provided arts training, mentorship, entrepreneurship development, scholarships, financial support, and bestowed prestigious awards to luminaries in the sector.
Since 1998 ACT has hosted the annual ACT Awards in recognition and celebration of excellence in South African arts, culture and creativity. However, these awards took a hiatus in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The hiatus allowed ACT to re-envision the purpose of these awards and how we honour those in our sector carrying the torch of excellence.
This year, in celebration of both ACT’s 30th anniversary and South Africa’s 30 years of democracy, we proudly unveil the rebranded ACT Luminary Awards in partnership with the South African Gallery of Legends and supported by Nedbank, Sun International, MTN South Africa, and Business and Arts South Africa, reviving the legacy of the annual ACT Awards in its 23rd edition.
These awards celebrate South African luminaries in the cultural and creative industries who continue to play an important role in preserving, growing and promoting our arts, culture and heritage, and excellence in arts entrepreneurship.
ACT is calling on South African artists, as well as cultural and creative producers, entrepreneurs, community arts centres, diverse arts organisations and individuals who are pushing the envelope within the disciplines of performing arts, music, visual and digital arts, indigenous art forms and literature, to nominate their 2024 award recipients. Qualifying artists will be able to nominate themselves for the awards.
Since 1998 the ACT Awards have honoured artists of the highest calibre, such as Esther Mahlangu, William Kentridge, Sibongile Khumalo, Johnny Clegg, Gibson Kente, Nomhle Nkonyeni, Sylvia Glasser, Dorothy Masuku, Miriam Makeba, Caiphus Semenya and many others. This year promises to build on the esteem of the ACT Awards legacy under the theme of African Luminaries.
Award winners will receive official certificates and cash prizes, as well as development and mentorship opportunities. The winner in the Excellence in Arts Entrepreneurship category will also receive business development opportunities and mentorship to plow back into their creative endeavours.
Visit the website to find out more and submit your nominations.
ACT Chief Executive Officer Jessica Denyschen, said:
“We are excited to be reviving the awards this year, not only as a celebratory event for our 30th anniversary but also as a flagship industry event that honours those who give their artistic excellence and commitment to the sector to ensure its future and visibility. We are excited to extend the offering beyond the awards night with an alumni programme designed to further support the winners in their endeavours. ACT is also proud to publicly announce our partnership with the South African Gallery of Legends for the ACT Luminary Awards. This partnership ensures that we create a tangible pathway for recognised excellence in the arts across generations in a meaningful and connected way.”
Poovi Pilay, Head of Group Sponsorships and Cause Marketing at Nedbank, says:
“It is with great anticipation that we await the entries for the prestigious ACT Awards. The arts and culture sector throughout South Africa is one of our nation’s greatest riches. The participants in this sector have immense value as the keepers of our collective heart and soul, and as the creators of core services with multiple employment and career opportunities. Through these awards we want to honour our creatives and our cultural and creative organisations and industries. We thank them for their extraordinary contribution to the tapestry of talent in our country.”
Nomination process and eligibility
- Individuals, organisations or community arts centres operating within the disciplines of performing arts, music, visual arts, and literature can be nominated.
- Individuals or organisations must have projects with a proven track record of at least 2 years.
- Individuals or organisations must be South African and based in the country, but can operate internationally.
- A nomination can be made by either a third party or the individual or organisation themselves.
- To submit a nomination, visit the website and complete the nomination form by 30 August 2024.
- The nomination form must be adhere to the nomination guidelines, which can be accessed here.
An independent selection panel comprises industry representatives will evaluate and make recommendations for the 3 best nominees per category to represent the finalists. Thereafter the 3 finalists per category will be announced to the public and 1 winner per category will be announced at the prestigious MTN Innovation Centre on 26 October 2024.
Awards categories
- Excellence in the Arts (18–45 years of age): Recognising artists and arts organisations excelling in various disciplines, focusing on artistic excellence, innovation, and positive community and sector impact.
- Excellence in Arts Entrepreneurship (no age restriction): Celebrating entrepreneurial achievements in the cultural and creative industries, rewarding innovation and sustainability. Companies must be registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and must be SARS-compliant with a minimum of 3 years of operation.
- Excellence in Arts Advocacy or Administration (28–75 years of age): Recognising arts administrators, arts activists, and arts organisations advocating for the development of the arts, culture and heritage sector in various disciplines with a focus on artistic excellence and a positive and demonstrated community impact.
- ACT Lifetime Award (55 years or over): This award celebrates individuals in arts and culture whose enduring dedication has greatly enriched South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape over at least 20 years. Recognising contributions in the performing arts, music, visual arts, multidisciplinary, and literature, these accolades highlight the significant impact of these individuals’ or organisation’s lifelong commitments.
One may nominate an individual or organisation in more than 1 award category but must submit a separate nomination for each category. For full details on each award category and eligibility criteria, click here.
The ACT NSP is in partnership with the Nedbank Arts Affinity and sponsors Sun International, Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), and MTN South Africa offering matriculants, school-leavers and budding arts practitioners the opportunity to be awarded 1 of 2 fully paid undergraduate
To keep in touch with the Arts and Culture Trust, please visit the website, follow ACT on Twitter or like them on Facebook.
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