Two Pitch Perfect Ideas Receive Funding

Last night, the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) and Nedbank Arts Affinity announced support for two innovative projects to the value of R100 000.
The announcement, which took place at Great Dane in Braamfontein, was the culmination of the ‘Pitch Perfect’ session that formed part of the 2015 ACT | UJ Arts & Culture Conference programme. Creative entrepreneurs were given a chance to learn the art of the perfect pitch from business guru Michael Rubenstein, and put this to the test in a Live Pitch session, competing against fellow delegates.
The shortlisted projects were presented by candidates who opted to take part in the ‘Pitch Perfect’ segment in the ‘LEARN IT powered by Business and Arts South Africa’ cluster. Each participant had three minutes to sell their creative project concept, followed by a Q&A. The panel of judges included ACT Trustees Melissa Goba, Jayesperi Moopen, Thandi Swaartbooi, Themi Venturas, ACT CEO Pieter Jacobs, the CEO of the Entrepreneurship Academy Mongezi Makhalima and business-guru Michael Rubenstein.
ACT Chairperson and member of the judging panel Melissa Goba says: “We are very happy with the overall ideas and projects that were presented to the panel because it has given us a good indication of what creatives are capable of. We can only hope that the tools and skills that delegates were equipped with will help inspire them to continue thinking about creative entrepreneurship in a way that will help bolster the arts sector.”
As co-sponsor of the ‘Pitch Perfect’ opportunity, Nedbank has a 20 year history of consistent support for the arts, and reflects on the sponsoring of grants allocated in this unusual format: “The creative industry is big business. Not only does it preserve our culture, heritage and spark our imaginations and shape our world, it also contributes to the economy. For instance, the South African film industry alone contributed R3.5 billion towards South Africa’s economy in 2012, creating over 25 000 jobs annually and contributing almost R670 million to the national tax bucket. As a bank for all, we are committed to enabling the communities we serve to make the things that really matter happen,” says Sydney Nhlanhla Mbhele, Nedbank Divisional Executive for Marketing.
The projects which received Nedbank Arts Affinity grants are:
– The National Database of new South African Plays: R 60 000
– Educational Board Game: R40,000
“While it was important for the conference partners to provide an opportunity for participants to develop their pitching skills, not only in theory but in a practical way, the panel of judges who adjudicated the pitches also had to consider various aspects including the potential impact of the project and its entrepreneurial potential,” says CEO of ACT, Pieter Jacobs. “To give the projects the best chance of succeeding, the two winning projects will also receive mentoring from the Entrepreneurship Academy,” he adds.
The Creatives Make it Happen conference presented a chance for people working at different levels and in different contexts within the sector, to meet and learn from one another. By engaging with entrepreneurs, artists, manufacturers, consumers, policy makers and implementers, the conference showcased alternative ways of cultivating business ideas in a contemporary South Africa.
The 2015 ACT | UJ Arts & Culture Conference was presented by the Arts & Culture Trust, UJ Arts & Culture and British Council Connect ZA, with support from the Department of Arts and Culture, Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), SAMRO Foundation, Pro Helvetia, the European Union, the SA-UK Seasons 2014 & 2015; and media partners Classicfeel magazine and UJfm. The conference ran 8 – 10 March 2015, based at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). There will be a series of five ‘Creatives in Conversation’ taking place on selected Thursday evenings at UJ Arts Centre, to continue the conversations following the conference. Please see www.creativeconference.co.za for details.
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
Jade Bowers Design and Management’s National Database for New South African Plays venture is concerned with setting-up an online database of new and/or unpublished South African plays. The project aims to create a platform for playwrights to connect with theatre makers, provide administrative and licensing tools including contracts, pricing structures and copyright and other legal advice.
Sajen Thathiah’s Educational Board Game celebrates the value of creativity in the learning process. Aimed at specifically children between six and eighteen years the educational game teaches risk and expense management in a fun and effective way.
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is South Africa’s premier independent arts funding and development agency. The primary aim of ACT is to increase the amount of funding available for arts and culture initiatives, and to apply these funds to innovative, sustainable projects that make a meaningful contribution to society. Through structured funding programmes, ACT provides support for all expressions of arts and culture, including literature, music, visual art, theatre and dance, and the support extends to festivals, community arts initiatives, arts management, arts education and arts administration. Follow ACT on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/actorgza or like the Trust’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arts-Culture-Trust-ACT/162339817162875
The Nedbank Arts Affinity is a proud supporter of the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT). Since the inception of ACT in 1994, Nedbank has raised and distributed nearly R15 million through our Arts Affinity Programme, in support of more than 800 South African arts, culture and heritage development projects, at no cost to our clients. To open a Nedbank Arts Affinity account please visit any Nedbank branch or call 0860 DO GOOD (36 4663). For more information please visit www.nedbankarts.co.za.
UJ Arts & Culture (Advancement) produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes aligned to the UJ vision of an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. A robust range of arts platforms are offered on all four UJ campuses for students, staff, alumni and the general public to experience and engage with emerging and established Pan-African and international artists drawn from the full spectrum of the arts. For regular updates follow @UJArtsCentre on Twitter or visit www.uj.ac.za/arts.
British Council Connect ZA is a major new series of cultural exchanges between the United Kingdom and South Africa marking 2014 as a celebration of 20 years of democracy in South Africa. From 2013 to 2015, the programme will support cultural connections between young people aged 18-35 in the United Kingdom and South Africa with a series of arts projects, and use digital platforms to build creative networks through live music, film, visual art and design. The project is part of SA-UK Seasons 2014 and 2015 which is a partnership between the Department of Arts & Culture, South Africa and the British Council. #connectza @connect_za connectza.tumblr.com

Author: Gilly Hemphill from The Famous Idea.
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Pitch Perfect winners Jade Bowers (left) and Sajen Thathiah (right) during their presentations to the judging panel. Pictures by Lwazi Mazibuko

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