Will Department of Sport, Arts and Culture fund the National Arts Festival next year?
Currently confusion prevails as there is lack of communication from government regarding whether or not DSAC will fund the popular festival in 2026.
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
Confusion still prevails as to whether the country’s flagship festival that has been running for over five decades will this year, receive funding from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC). This is because DSAC under Minister Gayton McKenzie has not yet given clarity as to whether or not the festival will receive funding for its 2026 programme.
The festival which creates employment for around 3000 artists annually did not get funding in 2025, raising fears in arts circles that government may have decided to stop funding for the festival and therefore threatening the livelihood of thousands of artists who rely on the festival for income every year.
Media reports that have been circulating seem to show a lack of communication from DSAC to the festivals affected by the imminent funding cut. A number of festivals such as NAF and others traditionally enjoyed funding from DSAC for years. In the face of this prevailing confusion and lack of clear and direct communication from DSAC, has forced the festival organisers to send out a media release on Friday clarifying what they say is the confusion regarding the status of funding from DSAC.
The National Arts Festival and other major arts festivals were not funded by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in 2025. In the National Arts Festival’s case, this was due to a change in the Department’s funding structure, which placed the Festival outside the eligibility window for this year.
No funding application round has yet opened for 2026 and the Festival has not been advised of any decision regarding 2026 funding.
The National Arts Festival, along with other festivals, is currently engaging with the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to obtain clarity on the funding process for 2026.
Quote from Monica Newton, CEO of the National Arts Festival:
“The National Arts Festival does not yet have clarity on funding for the 2026 Festival. We are currently engaging with the Minister’s Office at the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to understand what the process for 2026 will entail. The Festival will go ahead from 26 June to 6 July 2026, supported by our long-standing partners, the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Standard Bank and other partners who make the National Arts Festival possible,” the festival says in its media statement.