Open call: Cultural and Creative Industry Awards in SA

The awards are designed to boost artists’ reputations and set them apart from their competitors. Further, they seek to affirm the credibility of artists by demonstrating that they are the best and to acknowledge the wisdom, voice and experience of the creative community and its indomitable positive influence in the country.

“Among several reasons, these awards are intended to intentionally lift up, support the creative and cultural riches that join people together, nourish the spirit, liven up communities, inspire and create a vibrant nation, to also benchmark ourselves against the best in the world as we do them, to create a truly special moment,” Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa said.

CCI Awards nominee submission

South African creatives from various arts disciplines including music, theatre, the performing arts, visual arts, design, literature, drama, audio-visual and interactive media, craft and heritage are invited to submit entries.

“We will be re-evaluating our processes to better reflect the dynamic nature of the sector and how it evolves as we continuously improve over time,” the department said. “This is a starting point for this unprecedented integrated award platform. The CCIA’s categories will be voted by nomination review committee of experts and certified by an auditing firm, which are intended to safeguard a specific genre’s integrity and to serve as additional checks and balances.”

Artists are encouraged to read the rules and guidelines here before submitting their entries here.

Below are all the categories:

Heritage Site

• Outstanding Museum Award
• Outstanding Archaeological & Historical Site Award
• Outstanding Cultural Landscape Award

Visual Arts & Craft

• Outstanding Visual Artist Award
• Outstanding Curator Award
• Outstanding Crafter Award

Literary Works

• Outstanding Children Fiction Book Award
• Outstanding Book, Fiction Award
• Outstanding Book, Non-Fiction Award
• Outstanding Publisher Award

Audio-Visual & Interactive Media

• Outstanding Film Fiction Award
• Outstanding Documentary Film or TV Series Award
• Outstanding TV Drama Award
• Outstanding Actor TV and Film Award
• Outstanding Animation Award
• Outstanding Gaming Award

Design & Creative Services

• Outstanding Fashion and Textile Designer Award
• Outstanding Graphic & Multimedia Designer Award
• Outstanding Product Award
• Outstanding Architecture and Interior Designer Award

Performing Arts Category

• Outstanding Theatre Production Award
• Outstanding Dance Production Award
• Outstanding Musician Award
• Outstanding Actor in Theatre Award
• Outstanding Performance Award (Poet, Comedian)

Ministry (Discretionary Category) (x3 Awards)

• These awards are decided, announced and presented by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Bestowed to someone with 20 years or more of documented achievement and outstanding contribution over the individual’s whole career to the South African creative industry and internationally.

Internationally Recognised Artist or Group Award

• This award will be presented to an artist or group that has received international recognition, exhibited, and performed on international platforms for five years and more.

Artist with Disability Award

• This award is awarded to a person with a disability who has achieved excellence in their craft within the creative and cultural industries.

The People’s Choice category (x2 Awards)

• Breakthrough Artist Award (This award is awarded to a ‘Newcomer’ in the industry that is creating or producing brilliant work).

Online Creator of the Year

• The award is voted for by the public intended to honour and recognise the most influential online voices and content producers across the widest range of categories including lifestyle, finance, travel, comedy, fashion, technology and more.