Open call: Young Performer Awards Competition 2025

The offers talented young performers the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete for gold, silver and bronze medals, along with R20 000 (about $1 080) in cash prizes.

Competition details

The competition provides a next level of participation and is open to all amateur performers and groups in music (classical and contemporary), dance, and drama, who have excelled in any eisteddfod or similar event across the country in 2024. The journey to the awards will unfold over four rounds which will be hosted at various venues in the Johannesburg and Pretoria regions, starting on 3 March and culminating in the final round.

Eligibility for entry

Eligibility for entry requires participants to have received a diploma award in the National Eisteddfod of South Africa in 2024 or a similar accolade from any other eisteddfod or competition within the same period. Recognising that some talented performers may not have participated in any eisteddfod in the previous year, the NEA has introduced a Preliminary Qualifying Round. This round offers an additional opportunity for promising young artists to qualify for the competition. This option is available for a limited period only.

Award categories

Participants in the 22nd NEA Young Performer Awards Competition will compete in the following categories:

• Music: Classical and Contemporary
• Dance: Various dance forms
• Drama: Theatrical performances

Key dates

• Call for entries: Now open.
• Closing date for entries: 1 March 2025.
• First round: 3 – 15 March 2025.
• Second round: 17 – 20 March 2025.
• Semi-final round: 9 – 10 May 2025.
• Final round: date/venue to be confirmed.

How to enter

To find out more about the entry fees, entry forms, the performance categories, as well as the Preliminary Qualifying Round and other information, visit the website here or contact the NEA Office on 011 886 6005 or e-mail at: [email protected].