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2027 Standard Bank Young Artist Awards open for nominationsFor more than 40 years, the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards have championed emerging South African talent, and now nominations are open for the 2027 awards, inviting artists under the age of 35 to put their work forward.  2026 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, Jason Jacobs, performing Kraal at the National Arts Festival. (Image by Mark Wessels) Presented by the National Arts Festival in partnership with Standard Bank, the awards are open to artists working across disciplines, from music and visual art to theatre, dance, poetry, film and performance art. Rather than awarding every category each year, the selection process focuses on the strength, originality and trajectory of an artist’s body of work. A legacy of recognising artists on the riseThe awards have become closely associated with artists whose practices have gone on to make a significant mark on South Africa’s cultural landscape. Past Standard Bank Young Artists include Helen Sebidi, William Kentridge, Mohau Modisakeng, Sibongile Khumalo, Mary Sibande, Yael Farber, Sello Maake ka Ncube and Neil Coppen. The programme has continued to spotlight emerging voices in recent years, with alumni including musician Zoe Modiga, singer-songwriter Msaki, playwright and poet Koleka Putuma, choreographer Jason Jacobs, trumpeter Mandla Mlangeni, vocalist Gabi Motuba and multidisciplinary artist Jefferson Tshabalala. For the artists selected, the award is intended to provide more than recognition. Recipients receive a monetary prize, production funding, increased marketing and visibility, as well as support to develop and present a new work at the 2027 National Arts Festival in Makhanda. The programme can therefore offer artists both a moment of recognition and practical support as their careers develop. Looking beyond the traditional categoriesWhile previous awards have included disciplines such as Jazz, Music, Visual Arts, Theatre, Dance, Performance Art, Poetry and Film, there is no requirement for every category to be represented in each awards cycle. Instead, the focus is on artists who are developing a distinctive practice and demonstrating the potential to influence their respective fields. National Arts Festival artistic director Rucera Seethal says the awards are intended to recognise artists who have already established a strong foundation in their practice while continuing to push it forward. “The Standard Bank Young Artist Awards recognises artists who have a distinct artistic voice, who are steadily pushing their practice forward and who have already built an excellent and recognised portfolio at home and have notable international engagements.” Seethal adds that the artists selected may not yet be household names, but have demonstrated both commitment to their craft and “a pioneering edge” to their practice. The award, she says, can provide a significant boost at an important point in an artist’s career, particularly through the opportunity to develop and present new work at the National Arts Festival. Supporting artists shaping the cultural conversationFor Standard Bank, the partnership with the National Arts Festival forms part of its broader investment in the creative sector and in artists who contribute to South Africa’s cultural identity. Standard Bank Group head of sponsorship Bonga Sebesho says the awards remain focused on identifying artists who are not simply producing work, but contributing to the wider cultural conversation. “Standard Bank remains proud to partner with the National Arts Festival in celebrating South Africa’s next generation of creative talent,” says Sebesho. “This year's nomination process advances our commitment to nurturing artists who shape, challenge and define our cultural narrative.” The emphasis on originality and artistic development means nominations are not simply about identifying the most established young artists. Instead, the awards are looking for artists whose work demonstrates a clear voice, exceptional ability and the potential to make a lasting contribution to their field. How to nominateArtists nominated for the 2027 awards must be under the age of 35 in 2027 and must have demonstrated exceptional ability and originality within their chosen discipline. Nominations can be submitted online through the National Arts Festival's nomination form. The deadline is 23:59pm on 31 August 2026. The winners will be selected by the Artistic Committee and Artistic Director of the National Arts Festival and will be notified later in 2026. For those selected, the next stage will be the opportunity to develop new work with the backing of the awards programme and present it to audiences at the 2027 National Arts Festival in Makhanda. |
