The National Arts Council says programmes and operations will continue uninterrupted following Minister Gayton McKenzie’s decision to dissolve its governing council, but the announcement has already sparked confusion and concern across the arts sector.
The National Arts Council says programmes and operations will continue uninterrupted following Minister Gayton McKenzie’s decision to dissolve its governing council, but the announcement has already sparked confusion and concern across the arts sector.
The National Arts Council (NAC) of South Africa announced on 26 May that Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has dissolved the organisation’s governing council with immediate effect.
In a media statement released on Tuesday, the NAC said it had received formal correspondence from the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture confirming the decision, taken in terms of Section 5(5) of the National Arts Council Act, 1997.
“The NAC respects and acknowledges the Honourable Minister’s decision and remains committed to ensuring operational stability and continuity in support of South Africa’s arts and culture sector during this transitional period,” the statement read.
While the NAC’s initial statement did not specify the reasons for the dissolution, reporting by Public Dispatch states that the decision follows concerns raised by the Ministry around governance and oversight. According to the publication, Minister McKenzie cited an unresolved labour dispute relating to performance bonuses, concerns around procurement processes, and what was described as a failure by the council to exercise adequate oversight.
The announcement has already prompted concern across South Africa’s arts and culture community, particularly among artists, cultural workers, and organisations that rely on the NAC for funding and institutional support.
Much of the public reaction online has centred around uncertainty over what the dissolution of the NAC Council actually means, with many initially interpreting the announcement as the dissolution of the NAC itself.
“Wait! What on earth does this even mean? The NAC Council (is there such a thing?) or the actual NAC itself? How does that work? How is it possible? This is all very disconcerting,” wrote one Instagram user in response to the announcement.
Others raised concerns around funding continuity and the future of applications already in process, with questions emerging around how the decision may impact artists and organisations dependent on NAC grants.
So, what exactly has changed?
Importantly, the announcement refers to the NAC Council, not the National Arts Council itself. The council functions similarly to a governing board, overseeing the organisation’s strategic direction and governance rather than its day-to-day operations.
According to the NAC, the institution itself will continue functioning.
“The Acting Chief Executive Officer, together with executive management, will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations of the organisation and work closely with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to ensure the uninterrupted implementation of the NAC’s programmes and services,” the statement noted.
Despite these reassurances, uncertainty remains.
For many in the arts sector, the NAC plays a critical role in funding artistic projects, festivals, organisations, and creative practitioners across the country. The abrupt nature of the announcement, coupled with reported governance concerns and limited detail in the NAC’s initial statement, has fuelled anxiety and speculation among stakeholders.
Questions around governance, funding continuity, pending applications, and the broader future of institutional support for the arts have already begun circulating online.
The NAC has stated that further updates will be communicated as developments unfold.
