Our Story & Mission
The Kwazulu-Natal Performing Arts Trust (KZNPAT) is a well-established Durban- based, volunteer- run, independent arts funding body which supports a range of proactive, reputable Durban performing arts organisations with relatively modest grants – ranging from R10 000 to R50 000. The grants help with organisational running costs and project funding; and music scholarships.
The Trust is formally constituted with a board of between five and twelve directors – all of whom are respected Durban arts practitioners, supporters and community leaders – who meet four times a year.
DONATIONS
DONATIONS TO THE TRUST – SECTION 18A
Donations to the Trust are welcomed and donors are issued, on request, with a S18A tax certificate. This entitles the donor to claim the donation as an expense for income tax purposes and exempts the donation from donations tax.
So, if you wish to support the performing arts but don’t know whom to support or how to support them, consider a donation to the Trust, which has the contacts and the expertise to ensure that your donation is used to promote the performing arts in KZN.
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OUR HISTORY
The Kwazulu-Natal Performing Arts Trust (the Trust) was initially called the Natal Playhouse Trust and was formed in 1985 by representatives of the Natal Performing Arts Council (NAPAC). This was against the background of the establishment of the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (NPO) in 1983. In its early years, the Trust was supported by a number of prominent companies in the private sector.
In those days, the Trust had a close working relationship with the NPO. For example, it was engaged in funding applications for the work permits of orchestra members.
"Formed in 1985, the Kwazulu-Natal Performing Arts Trust (initially the Natal Playhouse Trust) expanded from supporting fine music, particularly through a close relationship with the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, to funding diverse performing arts forms, including music, drama, and dance."
However, over the years, as the orchestra became independent from NAPAC and was funded by the three levels of government, the Trust began to widen its outreach. From its early days of supporting fine music, it began to fund other performing arts forms. It supported community organisations promoting classical and popular music, drama and dance. Early examples of these were Baroque 2000, the Field Band Foundation, Friends of Music, Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre and the Steel Drum Foundation.
This development also took place at a time when the tax laws on donations no longer encouraged the private sector to support the arts, and the government was not concerned with smaller projects. However, the Trust had accumulated sufficient capital to be able to use its annual income to continue its support.
"Renamed in 2000 to the Kwazulu-Natal Performing Arts Trust, the organization continues to support over fifteen performing arts groups, reflecting its broader mission to promote all performing arts, while also maintaining its tradition of funding scholarships with guidance from local music institutions."
Since March 2000, the Trust has been known as the Kwazulu-Natal Performing Arts Trust (KZNPAT). This reflects the intention of the Trustees to support all of the performing arts and this remains the main object of the Trust, which now supports some 15 or more organisations, including orchestras, choirs, bands, dancers and actors.
From the outset, the funding of scholarships was an important part of the Trust’s work and this continues today with guidance from the Music Department of the University of Kwazulu-Natal and the Durban Chamber Choir.
