UJ Arts & Culture accepts applications from professional arts organisations, producers, and creative practitioners seeking to collaborate through the presentation of work at the UJ Arts Centre or Bunting Theatre.
Due to a significant increase in partnership requests and in the interest of transparency, sustainability, and equitable access, UJ Arts & Culture is formalising its industry partnership process through a structured biannual process. A limited number of partnerships will be accepted each year.
Available Venues
Selected partners may present work in one of the following venues:
- Bunting Theatre – 180-seat capacity
- Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre – 428-seat capacity
The Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre is based at the UJ Arts Centre on the University’s Kingsway Campus in Auckland Park. The Bunting Theatre is located on the Bunting Campus also in Auckland Park.
Partnership Categories
Applicants may apply under one of the following partnership categories:
Category A: Full Technical Support Partnership
(UJ Arts & Culture Investment Partnership – Very Limited)
UJ Arts & Culture will
- Waive venue hire
- Cover contracted technical staffing costs
- Cover Front of House staffing costs
- Make equipment on inventory available at no cost
- Ticket split, after administrative costs, will be 35% (UJ) and 65% (Partner)
This category represents a significant institutional investment. Technical and Front of House personnel are contracted on a project basis rather than permanently employed, while theatre time allocated to partnership events directly affects the Centre’s revenue-generating capacity and therefore constitutes tangible institutional value. Consequently, only a limited number of Category A partnerships will be entered into annually. Priority will be given to partnerships that align strongly with the values, strategic objectives, and thematic focus of the University, while also demonstrating clear potential for revenue generation, audience development, and meaningful societal impact.
Category B: Venue Support Partnership
UJ Arts & Culture will
The partner will be responsible for
- All technical staffing costs
- All Front of House staffing costs
- Technical consumables and specialised equipment requirements (needed in excess of what is on the theatre’s inventory)
- Ticket split, after administrative costs, will be 20% (UJ) and 80% (Partner)
This category enables broader access while ensuring responsible cost recovery.
Category C: Discount Support Partnership
UJ Arts & Culture will
- Make the venue available at 50% of the normal rental fee
- Only off-peak periods will apply
The partner will be responsible for
- 50% of the normal venue rental fee
- All technical staffing costs
- All Front of House staffing costs
- Technical consumables and specialised equipment requirements (needed in excess of what is on the theatre’s inventory)
- Ticket split, after administrative costs, will be 10% (UJ) and 90% (Partner)
Please note that technicians and Front of House staff on the UJ database have received the required Health and Safety and Emergency training and it is a non-negotiable for at least one senior technician on the UJ database to be contracted and a minimum of six ushers for the Arts Centre and four ushers for the Bunting Theatre (excluding cashiers should tickets be sold at the door).
Application Cycles
UJ Arts & Culture will run two calls per year:
Cycle 1
Closes: End of August
For projects taking place in: January–June of the following year
Cycle 2
Closes: End November
For projects taking place in: July–December of the following year
Late applications will not be considered.
Assessment Criteria
Applications will be evaluated according to:
- Artistic merit and quality
- Feasibility within venue capacity and technical infrastructure
- Clarity of production planning
- Alignment with UJ Arts & Culture’s vision and values
- Contribution to student engagement and/or societal impact
- Financial viability and realism
- Capacity of applicant to deliver the proposed project
Category A partnerships will further be assessed based on:
- Strategic value to UJ
- Demonstrable public or student benefit
- Budget strength and sustainability
- Broader industry impact
UJ Arts & Culture reserves the right to not award partnerships. Additionally, its decision regarding applications is final and no further communication will be entered. Those selected will be required to enter into a formal agreement.
APPLICATION FORM
SECTION 6: Marketing & Audience Development
