Creative Opportunities Round-Up: Festivals, Residencies, Awards, Open Calls and Career Opportunities
From international residencies and prestigious art competitions to funded programmes and creative industry vacancies, a number of exciting opportunities are currently open to artists, cultural practitioners and creative professionals across South Africa and beyond. Here are some key opportunities worth exploring, with deadlines approaching throughout June and July.
1. Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition 2026
South Africa’s longest-running visual arts competition has opened entries for its 2026 edition, continuing its legacy of discovering and supporting emerging artistic talent.
The competition is open to South African artists over the age of 18 who have not yet held a solo exhibition. Artists may submit up to two artworks across a range of mediums, including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video and installation.
Selected prizes include:
- R100,000 for the overall winner
- R25,000 for the runner-up
- Five merit awards of R10,000 each
- A solo exhibition at Pretoria Art Museum in 2027
Entries must be submitted in person at one of eight collection points nationwide on 9 and 10 June 2026.
Deadline: 10 June 2026
More information: www.sasolsignatures.co.za
2. Bodhi Khaya Residency Programme
Applications are open for a two-week fully funded residency taking place from 11–25 October 2026.
Designed for emerging and mid-career artists, the residency offers dedicated time, space and support for creative development through engagement with land, site and material. The programme includes future exhibition opportunities and ongoing curatorial support.
Applicants should note that a R250 application fee applies.
Deadline: 15 June 2026
Submit: bodhikhayaresidency.co.za/applications@nfvf.co.za
For enquiries: lelihoch@gmail.com
3. La Motte Ateljee Gallery Open Call: Life is a Dream
The Ateljee Gallery at La Motte Wine Estate has launched its second Open Call, inviting artists working on paper to respond to the theme Life is a Dream.
The exhibition explores the space between memory and imagination, drawing inspiration from the classic Spanish play by Pedro Calderón de la Barca.
Submission requirements:
- Original artworks on paper
- A3 format only
- Unframed and unmounted
- Theme: Life is a Dream
Deadline: 20 June 2026
Submissions should be sent to: submissions.ateljee@la-motte.co.za
More info: la-motte.com
4. Spier Arts Trust Marketing and Social Media Coordinator Vacancy
Spier Arts Trust is seeking a Marketing and Social Media Coordinator to support its marketing, communications and storytelling initiatives.
The role includes:
- Social media strategy and content creation
- Digital advertising and analytics
- Community management
- PR and media relations
- Website and email marketing
- Graphic design and digital communications
Applicants should have:
- A qualification in marketing, communications, PR or digital storytelling
- Two to five years’ relevant experience
- Strong copywriting and content creation skills
- Experience with digital platforms, social media advertising and creative software
Applicants must be South African citizens based in Cape Town.
Deadline: 20 June 2026
Applications can be sent to: recruitment@spierartstrust.co.za
More information: houseunionblock.co.za/pages/about-us
5. Mandela Day Community Printable Project
Creatives from across South Africa are invited to contribute to a collaborative Mandela Day initiative that aims to produce a free downloadable resource consisting of 67 printable pages for children.
Artists, designers, photographers, writers, educators and community creatives are encouraged to submit one child-friendly printable page in PDF, JPG or PNG format.
Contributors will be credited in the final publication, which will be distributed to schools, libraries, hospitals and community spaces.
Deadline: 25 June 2026
Submissions and enquiries: commartproject@gmail.com
6. Falling Walls Lab Cape Town 2026
Applications are open for Falling Walls Lab Cape Town, a global three-minute pitch competition for breakthrough ideas.
Hosted at the Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at UCT, the programme offers finalists professional pitch training before the live event in August.
The winner will receive a fully funded trip to Berlin to participate in the international Falling Walls finale alongside innovators from around the world.
Deadline: 12 June 2026
Apply: fallingwallscapetown.co.za
7. Silence Awareness Existence Residency, Finland
Arteles Creative Center in Finland is accepting applications for its thematic residency programme, Silence Awareness Existence, taking place during the Northern winter of 2027.
The residency welcomes artists, writers, researchers and creative practitioners interested in contemplation, interdisciplinary exchange and self-directed creative development.
Participants can choose from one-month residency periods running between January and March 2027.
Deadline: 30 July 2026
More information and applications: www.arteles.org
8. Fak’ugesi Awards 2026
The Fak’ugesi Awards have officially opened submissions, celebrating Africa’s most innovative digital creatives across a range of disciplines.
Categories include:
- Digital Art
- Design
- Animation
- Video Games
- Music
- Immersive Media
The awards provide a platform for African creatives working at the intersection of technology, storytelling and innovation.
Deadline Extended: 22 June 2026
9. National Arts Festival 2026
One of Africa’s largest cultural gatherings returns this winter, transforming Makhanda into a hub of creativity, performance and artistic exchange.
The 2026 programme explores themes including Indigenous knowledge systems, decolonial futures, technology, artificial intelligence and contemporary African identity through theatre, dance, music, film and visual arts.
For artists, cultural practitioners and audiences alike, the festival remains one of the continent’s most significant creative events.
25 June – 5 July 2026 | Makhanda
