Conditions to apply (eligibility criteria)

Only projects of a non-commercial nature will be considered. The Goethe-Institut offers financial support for chosen projects to the maximum amount of R 105.000 per project. Should the project budget exceed this amount, the artist/project team should seek further support from other funding institutions, donors or sponsors - information of which should be included in the Budgetplan for this application form. The proposed space has an established track record , operating for at least 2 years and professionalism evident. The profile of the space must be such that realisation of proposed project is viable. A clear and viable realisation/project plan is mandatory. The signed collaboration agreement outlining the form of commitment from the space is essential. A clear idea on how the project engages with communities , preferably outside South Africa’s big urban centres, must be part of the project proposal. Projects taking place in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban will not be considered. Collaborations between practitioners, collectives or spaces that are based in the rural and urban areas are welcome. Projekte, die in Johannesburg, Kapstadt oder Durban stattfinden, werden nicht berücksichtigt. Kooperationen zwischen Praktikern, Kollektiven oder Räumen, die in ländlichen und städtischen Gebieten ansässig sind, sind willkommen. Only one project proposal per artist will be considered by the jury.

Evaluation Criteria of proposals

The project demonstrates artistic quality and cultural relevance and demonstrates rootedness in the respective local community. The project application has met the deadline and documentation is complete. Realisation plan, budget outline and partners/infrastructure are coherent and realistic for achieving the aims of the project. The project is feasible within the planned project period and takes place in 2024. A complete and realistic budget plan that outlines additional support in the case that a project’s budget exceeds the GPS total budget per project of R 105.000. This is particularly important with large/ambitious projects, where eventual realisation may seem unlikely with inadequate funding. The work is appropriate for the space and audience and reflects what the artist/project team is aiming to achieve. The proposal illustrates that both artist(s) and the space where the project will take place are able and willing to support the project from start to finish. The project and the proposed space in which it will be presented need to operate in partnership with each other. The partners need to take into account all conceptual concerns and manage all logistical tasks.

A ROVING ARTS PLATFORM
THE GOETHE-INSTITUT PROJECT SPACE (GPS) PROJECT GRANT 2025

Q: Checklist - What do I need for my application?

All necessary materials and information will be asked for in the Application Form . The following information and materials should be prepared by you in order to fill in the application: Mandatory: A short synopsis of your project (max. of 200 words) A detailed project description (max. 1000 words) A short paragraph about the projects’ objectives and means how they will be met (max. 200 words) A project timeline including realisation plan and promotion strategy (max. 500 words) Short biographies/descriptions (max. 500 words) of all involved parties (artists, collaborators, space/venue etc.) Collaboration Agreement signed by all artists, collaborators and spaces involved in the project. A Budgetplan outlining the estimated costs (expenditure) and planned income for your project Optional: Supporting material / references of previous work (e.g. press reviews, visual documentation) – NO reference letters needed. You will be able to upload up to 3 files and add up to 3 website links.

The three GPS projects for 2025 have been chosen:

Karoo Kewpie by GALA Queer Archive and the District Six Museum in collaboration with Karoo Kaarte, Salon Kewpie and KKNK Festival in Oudtshoorn (Western Cape, South Africa)
Reviving Umthilane: A Dance for Resilience by Umthilane Dance Group and Choreographer Sitsembiso Magagula with Antidote Music in Vuvulane (Eswatini)
Peiso Ea Likhomo by Kananelo Maboee, Toka Hlongwane and Tumelo Liphoto in Mafeteng (Lesotho)

Call
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Previous Projects
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Please read this year’s jury statement and more on the selected projects below:

Introducing the GPS jury 2025

This year’s GPS jury, namely researcher Siphokazi Tau, consultant and project manager Musonda Chimba, and curator Uthando Baduza, would like to extend their gratitude to all GPS applicants who have put great labour and care into their GPS project proposals. The task of choosing three outstanding proposals to be funded within the GPS programme wasn’t an easy one.

Peiso ea Likhomo: Masters of The Basotho Cattle Race

GPS projects announced for 2025

Exciting news! Our dedicated jury, researcher Siphokazi Tau, consultant and project manager Musonda Chimba, and curator Uthando Baduza, have selected the three projects that will be supported with a GPS grant in 2025. Read more about each project on our website.

The Goethe-Institut set up this grant to support art professionals from across South Africa who collaborate with cultural or public spaces and engage with the people in the areas where these spaces are located. For the first time since its existence, the call is extended to arts practitioners from the neighbouring countries Eswatini and Lesotho.

The GPS programme is supporting artistic projects that are engaging with communities outside the big urban centres and are focusing on the production and/or facilitation of artistic content. We also welcome projects that deliberately foster collaboration and exchange between rural and urban spaces, and projects that seek to build partnerships with a specific community or arts space.

Please note: We are explicitly not looking for social cohesion or social development projects. Such projects are not eligible for funding through GPS. This grant specifically intends to support professional arts and cultural production. Projects that solely take place in urban centres (e.g. Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban) will also not be considered.

In 2025, up to 4 arts projects will be chosen for support by GPS.

If you consider applying, please check out the following information and documents, including eligibility criteria and FAQ.

Please check out previously funded projects here.

Check our explainer video

Application

Checklist - What do I need for my application?

If you consider applying, please check out the following information and documents, including eligibility criteria and FAQ. If the information provided doesn’t answer your queries, please send an email to: gpsapplications@goethe.de.