The Arts and Culture Trust (ACT) is calling for proposals for ACT NOW! Against AIDS. Loosely based on the Broadway Cares model, an American initiative which raises funds for AIDS in Africa at the opening performances of hit Broadway shows, the programme administered by ACT aims to mobilise the unique abilities within the performing arts in South Africa to raise funds for HIV/AIDS related arts and culture projects.

To date ACT has provided support for more than 500 projects in all arts disciplines throughout South Africa. With support received from Gold Reef City Casinos and the Johannesburg Civic Theatre, ACT is now pleased to invite proposals from arts and culture projects which specifically support the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“Since inception ACT has maintained a leadership role in raising and distributing funds to worthy cultural initiatives across South Africa. In a fairly bleak economic climate our role becomes even more crucial,” said ACT Trustee Brenda Devar (formerly Radloff) who received the first donation of R100,000 on behalf of the Trust from Gold Reef City Casinos at the opening night of the return season of African Footprint where ACT NOW! Against AIDS was launched.

“All money raised locally will be used to support cultural initiatives that are either run by or whose beneficiaries are those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS,” she added. Most recently the Johannesburg Civic Theatre has pledged support for ACT NOW! by donating a portion of proceeds from a performance of Snow White to the programme.

Projects taking place in 2009 are eligible for support. ACT will consider requests up to a maximum of R50,000 for arts and culture projects either run by or whose beneficiaries are those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Requests should be submitted via e-mail to projects@act.org with ACT NOW in the subject line following the application guidelines for letters of enquiry outlined on the “apply” page of ACT website at www.act.org.za

The deadline is October 10, 2008, and the successful applicants will be announced on Word AIDS Day on December 1 2008.