N$800 000 arts fund up for grabs

The National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN) has opened applications for its third funding cycle of the 2026/27 financial year, calling on Namibian artists, cultural practitioners and creative organisations to apply for financial support before the October deadline.

The current call, which opened in September, closes on 9 October at 16h00.

The cycle forms part of an annual N$800 000 allocation for the current financial year, which comprises N$600 000 earmarked for general project grants and N$200 000 set aside for mobility support.

Funding is open to a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines. These include studio visual arts such as painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking, as well as fashion, theatre, dance, music performances and exhibitions.

Practitioners involved in talent development initiatives, festival participation, national event participation and arts-specific research are also eligible to apply.

Operating under the National Arts Fund Act 1 of 2005, the NACN is mandated to provide financial and developmental backing to the domestic creative sector through grants, bursaries and project support.

Speaking on the initiative, NACN administrator Gretta Gaspar highlights that the assessment process prioritises proposals with clear artistic merit, viability and broader sector impact.

“The purpose of the NACN funding programme is not simply to distribute money, but to create opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners to turn viable creative ideas into meaningful work,” Gaspar says. “We want to see support reaching different disciplines, regions and communities, while ensuring that public resources are used responsibly and have a measurable impact on the sector.”

The council states that grants will not be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, applications will be vetted against specific criteria, including artistic excellence, financial sustainability, feasibility and alignment with key national priorities.

For cycle 3, special consideration will be given to proposals that address social challenges, support marginalised and indigenous art forms, create opportunities for youth, women and persons with disabilities, foster digital creative practices, and facilitate professional exchanges.

The funding call caters to both individual practitioners and registered cultural organisations or collectives.

The NACN urges all prospective applicants to carefully review the official submission guidelines and submit complete documentation before 9 October, noting that submission does not automatically guarantee an award.

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