Launched by the Arts and Culture Department, Puducherry, the “Financial Assistance to Indigent Artistes” scheme is designed to support financially underprivileged artists aged 50 years and above. The scheme covers various forms of traditional and contemporary art including music, dance, drama, folk, painting, and sculpture. It is intended to provide a stable monthly income to artists who have dedicated their lives to the arts and to ensure that their families continue to receive support after their demise.
Benefits
- Monthly Assistance:
Eligible indigent artists receive a financial grant of ₹1,000 per month.
Eligibility
- Applicant Status:
The applicant must be an indigent artist actively contributing to art forms such as music, dance, drama, folk, painting, or sculpture. - Age Criterion:
The artist should be 50 years of age or older. - Income Limit:
The annual income of the applicant should be less than ₹24,000. - Residency:
The applicant must be a resident of the Union Territory of Puducherry, either by birth or by domicile. - Exclusion Clause:
The applicant should not be receiving any similar financial assistance from any other organization. - Family Benefit:
In the event of the artist’s death, the financial assistance may be transferred to their wife/children.
Application Process
Offline
- Collect the Application Form:
Visit the Department of Art and Culture during office hours and request the hard copy of the prescribed application form from the designated staff. Alternatively, the form may be available for download from the official website. - Fill the Form:
Complete all mandatory fields, attach a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and include self-attested copies of all required documents. - Submit the Application:
Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the Superintendent at the Department of Art and Culture, 1, Romain Rolland Street, Puducherry. - Obtain Acknowledgment:
Request a receipt or acknowledgment from the Superintendent that includes the submission date, time, and a unique identification number (if applicable).
Documents Required
- Identity Proof
- Proof of Age
- Domicile Certificate
- Any other document as required by the department
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the financial assistance amount provided to indigent artists under this scheme?
Indigent artists receive a monthly assistance of ₹1,000. - Who is eligible for the financial assistance for indigent artists?
The scheme is open to indigent artists aged 50 years and above who contribute to music, dance, drama, folk, painting, and sculpture. - Can an artist receiving assistance from another organization apply for this scheme?
No, the applicant should not be receiving similar assistance from any other organization. - Is residency in the Union Territory of Puducherry a requirement for this financial assistance?
Yes, applicants must be residents of Puducherry, either by birth or by domicile. - Can the financial assistance be transferred to the family of the artist after their death?
Yes, the artist’s wife or children are eligible to receive the assistance after the artist’s death. - Are the applications submitted online?
No, applications for this scheme are accepted offline. - Is there an application deadline for this scheme?
Specific deadlines are not mentioned; however, applications should be submitted as per the office hours during the announcement period. - What documents are required to apply for financial assistance under this scheme?
Applicants need to submit identity proof, proof of age, domicile certificate, and any additional documents required by the department.