Concerts SA is proud to announce the 60 music projects awarded grant support from the Digital Mobility Fund (DMF), now in its fifth instalment. Created in 2020 as an active response to challenges faced by the live music scene in South Africa at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the DMF is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Norwegian Embassy, together with SAMRO.
Over 300 eligible applications were received and after a strict and rigorous adjudication process, 60 applicants were selected to receive support. Each DMF micro grant of R30 000 will be used towards subsidising the planning and execution of a concert that will either be streamed live or recorded for a delayed broadcast
All 60 concerts will be recorded with a live audience.
Applications mirrored the rich and diverse cultures of South Africa with support given to established and emerging artists of different genres of music. Projects awarded grants in this round of Concerts SA’s Digital Mobility Fund include Afrikan Roots, Brenda Mtambo, Kabomo, Mzansi Gay Choir, The Rudimentals and Veranda Panda.
“Concerts SA, administered by IKS Cultural Consulting on behalf of SAMRO, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and other partners, has arguably had its period of highest impact over the past two years since its inception in 2013. The annual iterations of the Digital Mobility Fund (DMF) during that period distributed R5,1 million to 170 projects, enabled the support of concerts at 132 venues, and reached 570 079 audience members, many online.” Gjermund Saether, Norwegian Ambassador Designate to SA.
“Over the past two and half years over 4500 musicians, technicians and music support staff benefitted from Concerts SA’s injection of micro-grants into our ailing sector. This played an important role in keeping some momentum in the live music industry, through the debilitating impact of COVID-19. We thank SAMRO, The Norwegian Embassy, foreign donors and the National Arts Council who supported us in supporting artists.” Andre Le Roux: Head of Concerts SA and MD of IKS Cultural Consulting.
“As SAMRO, we have applauded Concerts SA’s continuing effort to stimulate and grow the live music circuit in southern Africa. We increased our investment into CSA projects and programmes, helping Concerts SA to continue to play a catalytic, vital role in the initiative to keep the SA live music industry operating.” Mark Rosin, SAMRO CEO.
For the current list of the 60 supported projects, visit https://www.concertssa.co.za/dmf-5-recipients/
Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian initiative administered by IKS Cultural Consulting under the auspices of SAMRO; it receives financial, administrative, and technical support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria, and SAMRO. The project aims to support live music in South Africa by finding and implementing catalytic methods to stimulate a vibrant and viable live music circuit in southern Africa.
It also aims to develop an interest in and appreciation of live music by showcasing music performances. The Concerts SA Mobility Fund was initiated in 2013 to offer support to South African musicians conducting music tours across southern Africa.
The Digital Mobility Fund emerged out of necessity during the pandemic as an adaptation of Concerts SA’s Mobility Fund. For more information please visit our website www.concertssa.co.za, follow @ConcertsSA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ConcertsSA or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConcertsSA. #ConcertsSA #DMF2022
SAMRO, through its corporate social investment (CSI), is committed to improved business professionalism, innovation and thought leadership in the southern African music industry. Concerts SA is one of the projects that SAMRO supports towards this mission. www.samro.org.za
IKS Cultural Consulting is a consulting and project management agency based on sound research and analysis. IKS provides strategic consulting, planning and project management services in arts and culture. Established in 2004, IKS took over the management of the Concerts SA programme on 1 April 2020. Visit: www.iksafrica.com, follow @IKSAfrica on Twitter or like IKS Africa on Facebook.
Martin Myers 
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