National Lotteries Commission - Arts, Culture and Heritage Sector

The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) promotes the preservation and development of arts, culture and heritage in order to empower communities to help themselves and enable artists to showcase their work internationally. In general, applications that deal with the following areas are considered:

• Enable people across the country to enjoy a range of activities of arts.
  
• Make the arts accessible to more people.
  
• Improve facilities so people get more enjoyment from the arts.
  
• Provide arts facilities to outside major cultural centres.
  
• Promote art forms that are not adequately supported.
  
• Preserve and promote awareness of culture and our historical, natural and architectural heritage.
  

Three levels of funding are available; small grants of up to R500 000; Medium grants range from R500 000 to R5m and large grants from R5m to R10m. Applications are also clustered to group priority provinces. It is important to read the guidelines (click on the link shown in the application process below) as the grouping of provinces may change from time to time.

Eligibility criteria

• Only applications from organisations whose mandate, primary objectives, expertise, experience and track record in the field of Arts, Culture, Environment and National Heritage will be considered. 
• Preference is given to applications that address at least one of the points below:
• Protecting and promoting traditional knowledge and cultural expressions.
• Promoting arts and crafts produced by groups of women and people with disabilities.
• Developing and preserving cultural heritage sites as a way to generate revenue and develop communities.
• Providing training and support for women farmers.
•    The applicant must be a registered entity.
•    Valid tax clearance certificate.

Note: Organisations that have received funding previously and have not submitted all outstanding Progress and Final Reports (both narrative and Financial) in accordance with the Grant Agreement will NOT be considered.

Application process

If you are applying for a grant less than R500 000, fill in this Application Form.

If you are applying for a grant greater than R500 000, fill in this Application Form.

Please read the Arts & Culture Guidelines before completing the application form as the information required may change.

Please download the Business Plan and Budget template for 2023-2024here.

Please see the funding focus areas for 2024-2025 here.