As had been hoped, new sponsors were able to step into play as Standard Bank withdrew. In 2002, and for the first time in its history, the National Arts Festival received a significant amount of its sponsorship from provincial government and the National Arts Council. Not only was this significant as the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership between the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, it also clearly signalled the economic potential of a project of this scale. MEC Nosimo Balindlela recognised this in her welcome note, asserting her belief that the National Arts Festival had the potential to contribute significantly to provincial and local economic development, as well as to the development of indigenous art and artists. The partnership between Standard Bank, the NAC and the Eastern Cape DSRAC marked the beginning of a new period of engagement between the National Arts Festival, provincial government, and local economic concerns.