NAC PESP 6 APPEAL
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(Source: NAC)
A NECESSARY STEP TOWARDS FAIRNESS AND TRANSPARENCY
(Source: NAC)
The recent statement by the National Arts Council (NAC) announcing the opening of the PESP 6 Appeal process is a welcomed development within the cultural and creative sector.
Most importantly, the confirmation that funding has been set aside specifically for the PESP 6 Appeal signals a recognition that errors, gaps, or misjudgements may have occurred during the initial adjudication process.
Appeals are a critical mechanism in public funding systems. They provide practitioners and organisations with an opportunity to seek reconsideration, especially where they believe that applications were misunderstood, unfairly assessed, or administratively disadvantaged. In this regard, we encourage all affected practitioners and organisations to make full use of the appeal window allocated by the NAC.
However, for the appeal process to be meaningful, credible, and fair, clarity on key operational issues is essential.
As stakeholders in the sector, we respectfully request the NAC to provide guidance on the following matters in the coming days:
Firstly, there is a need for transparency regarding the appeal budget. Clear communication on how much funding has been set aside for the PESP 6 Appeal will help applicants manage expectations and understand the scale of possible approvals.
Secondly, clarity is required on the use of decline reasons. Should applicants rely on the generic decline letters issued by the NAC—such as “scored below 50%” or “insufficient resources”—or are they expected to wait for detailed feedback from Arts Development Officers (ADOs)? This distinction is crucial, as appeals require specific and substantive responses to the original assessment.
Thirdly, the composition of the Appeal Panel must be addressed. Will the appeal be adjudicated by a new, independent panel, or will it involve members of the original adjudication panel? The credibility of the appeal process rests heavily on the perception and reality of independence.
Fourthly, we seek assurance on how conflicts of interest will be managed during the appeal process. Given the sensitivities around funding decisions, a transparent and robust conflict-of-interest framework is essential to maintain trust in the system.
Fifthly, clarity is also required regarding project timelines. If applicants are successful on appeal, will they still be expected to complete and close their projects by 31 March 2026? This has significant implications for planning, implementation, and compliance.
Lastly, there is concern about timing. With many NAC Arts Development Officers reportedly returning only on 12 January 2026, applicants may lose valuable appeal time if they are required to wait for detailed feedback from ADOs. In this context, we ask whether the NAC would consider extending the appeal deadline by at least one additional week to accommodate applicants who require specific decline reasons to submit valid and well-motivated appeals.
These questions are raised purely in the interest of clarity and process integrity.
Addressing them upfront will help prevent a situation where appeals are declined for the same reasons cited in the original adjudication, without proper engagement with the substance of the appeal.
The sector has previously experienced challenges in appeal processes, notably during the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE), where many applicants received repetitive, copy-and-paste responses that failed to adequately consider the merits of individual appeals.
There is an opportunity now for the NAC to demonstrate learning, improvement, and commitment to fair administrative practice.
A transparent, well-communicated, and independently managed PESP 6 Appeal process will not only restore confidence but also strengthen the relationship between the NAC and the cultural and creative sector it is mandated to serve.
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