In a desperate attempt for answers from the National Arts Council, about 20 artists began a sit-in on Wednesday, 3 March at the National Arts Council offices in Newtown, Johannesburg, demanding answers about the R300-million Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme.
Mercy Pakela (centre) is angry at the National Arts Council and says it has undermined the integrity of artists who have been affected by the lockdown. Pakela has accused the NAC of being corrupt and wants it to be held accountable. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
Two days earlier, on Monday, 1 March, opera star Sibongile Mngoma was among those who had sought answers from the NAC. Mngoma said she was dissatisfied with the answers given. She returned on Wednesday, with actor Thami Mbongo and others. They then decided to embark on a sit-in.
UK gov’t extends production restart scheme
The UK government has extended its Film & TV Production Restart Scheme, for productions struggling to get insurance for risks related to Covid-19, by six months.
The £500m (US$678m) scheme was set up last July to help UK productions unable to obtain insurance for coronavirus-related risks get back up and running and to support them if future losses are incurred due to Covid-19.
The scheme was initially accepting claims for losses incurred up until June 30, 2021, but has now been extended to December 31. The extension was announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak in his Spring Budget statement yesterday.
Updated: March 3, 2021, 4:23 pm
Music industry bosses say a Government-backed insurance scheme is needed (Ben Birchall/PA)
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The chief executive of UK Music has said he is “disappointed” a Government-backed insurance scheme for the music industry was not included in the Budget.
Jamie Njoku-Goodwin welcomed measures that were unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Wednesday such as the extension of furlough, additional support for the self-employed and the VAT cut on ticket sales.
In hopefully the last Budget of the pandemic, Sunak pledged more support for the self-employed, introduced a new loan scheme and promised more money for culture.
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After suffering the worst financial crisis in 300 years, Rishi Sunak the UK’s Chancellor has promised to give the arts sector over £400m, to prop up a failing industry starved of an audience, due to the COVID Pandemic.
Mr Sunak has praised our industries as a “significant driver” of the economy
Mr Sunak has praised our industries as a “significant driver” of the economy which employs over 700,000 people. “I am committed to ensuring the arts are equipped to captivate audiences in the months and years to come,” he said.
The funds will include £408 million for England, including an extra £300 million to the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, £90 million to support its locked-down national museums, and £18.8 million to fund other community cultural projects. The government will give an additional £77 million to the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to support their own cultural sectors.