SACO PESP

The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO), hosted Nelson Mandela University, received funding from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP), to deliver a programme, aimed at supporting, developing and training 800 artists and 100 graduates, whose ability to earn an income is impacted by Covid-19.

The main objective of the SACO PESP was to bridge the gap between market-related skills and artistic expression, allowing artists to market their artworks professionally and expand their business opportunities.

SACO delivered this programme by focusing on the following three main objectives:

1. Establishing a national, interactive mentorship programme, using the graduates, who are skilled in Marketing, Business Development, Communication, Public Relations and Management, to support artists.
2. Delivering relevant training to all participants to support the above objective, i.e:
   • Branding;
   • Business Finance;
   • Business Management;
   • Copyright and other Legislatives;
   • Marketing; and,
   • Media, Public Relations and Communications.
3. Disperse a monthly stipend each month for a period of 4 months to all 900 participants, to assist them with expenses related to their participation in the programme.

Please note, the programme ran from 01 September 2021 to 15 December 2021 and officially closed on 15 December 2021.