Ready to make your mark?
From funded residencies in London and Lagos to prestigious festivals and fellowships right here in Africa, these upcoming opportunities are designed to elevate creative careers. Whether you’re a visual artist, performer, curator, designer, or storyteller, there’s something for you — grants, exhibitions, academic programs, and global exposure included. Don’t miss your chance to grow, connect, and thrive. Check out the list and apply before the deadlines close!
Featured Opportunities & Events for Creatives:
1. RISE Africa Urban Action Festival (Cape Town) | 25–29 May 2025
A festival merging urban planning, poetry, design, and activism to shape sustainable African cities through collaborative action.
🔗 riseafrica.iclei.org
2. Decorex Cape Town | 5–8 June 2025
Africa’s leading décor and design event, hosted at the CTICC, showcasing the latest in interiors, product design, lifestyle trends, and cutting-edge installations. It’s a must-attend for anyone in the home, décor, or creative retail industries.
🔗 decorex.co.za
3. Encounters Documentary Festival | 19–29 June 2025
South Africa’s premier documentary film festival, screening thought-provoking local and international documentaries. Includes filmmaker Q&As, industry events, and opportunities to connect with other storytellers and distributors.
🔗 encounters.co.za
4. Gasworks Residency (London) | Deadline: May 2025
An 11-week, fully funded residency in London for early-career visual artists from South Africa or Zimbabwe. Includes a private studio, accommodation, stipend, and travel support — plus a chance to connect with London’s vibrant art scene.
🔗 gasworks.org.uk
5. G.A.S. Fellowship Award 2025 (Lagos)
Hosted by Guest Artist Space Foundation in Nigeria, this award supports mid-career artists and curators with a residency that promotes deep reflection, mentorship, and the development of projects that foster long-term cultural impact in Africa.
🔗 artnetworkafrica.com
6. Zeitz MOCAA & UWC Museum Fellowship 2026 | Deadline: 30 June 2025
This year-long fellowship merges academic learning with practical experience. Fellows will earn a BA Honours from UWC while gaining hands-on training at Zeitz MOCAA in curatorial practice, education, and museum management.
🔗 zeitzmocaa.museum
7. Call for Proposals: Spaces of Culture 2025 | Deadline: 8 June 2025
An open call offering up to €50,000 per project for creative, cultural, or civic initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa. Ideal for organisations working at the intersection of arts, community development, and social change.
🔗 https://www.eunicglobal.eu/news/spaces-of-culture-2025
8. STARTS Prize Africa 2025
A prestigious prize celebrating visionary projects at the crossroads of art, science, and technology. Open to creatives using innovation to address global challenges and inspire positive change in society, the environment, and beyond.
🔗 starts.eu
9. PhotoVogue Global Open Call: “Women by Women” | Deadline: 1 June 2025
A global open call by Vogue inviting women and women-identifying creatives to submit photography, video, or multimedia projects. Selected artists will receive a share of $12,000 in grants and global exposure via PhotoVogue platforms.
🔗 photovogue.vogue.it
10. COJ x TACS Printmaking Workshop | May–June 2025
A collaborative workshop between the City of Joburg and the Artist Proof Studio’s TACS program. Open to visual artists looking to strengthen their printmaking techniques, access equipment, and expand their professional networks.
Follow @artistproofstudio on Instagram for more information.
11. Cape Town Arts Festival: Beyond Busking Project | June 2025
A bold initiative spotlighting street performers and buskers by offering curated performance slots at Victoria Yards. The project aims to professionalise and celebrate public performance art, creating new platforms for exposure and income.
12. Fak’ugesi Awards 2025: Call for Entries | Deadline: 15 July 2025
A celebration of African digital creativity, the Fak’ugesi Awards shine a light on innovation in animation, gaming, immersive tech, digital art, music and design. The 2025 edition invites entries from creators who are pushing boundaries and telling powerful stories through digital media.
Submit your application by 15 July 2025 at 23:59.
📎 Apply here
13. Southern Guild – Senior Gallery Roles | Deadline: Rolling applications
Cape Town’s Southern Guild is currently hiring for various senior positions across its gallery operations. These are full-time, in-office roles based in the city centre, ideal for professionals with initiative, drive, and a passion for contemporary African art.
Send your CV and cover letter to: recruitment@southernguild.com
Please note: No DMs — email applications only.
