Open call: Arts and Culture Trust Luminary Awards 2024 nominees

The awards are designed for South African artists, as well as cultural and creative producers, entrepreneurs, community arts centres, diverse arts organisations and individuals who are pushing the envelope within the disciplines of performing arts, visual and digital arts, indigenous art forms and literature. Qualifying artists will be able to nominate themselves for the awards.

The awards celebrate South African luminaries in the cultural and creative industries who continue to play an important role in preserving, growing and promoting arts, culture and heritage, and excellence in arts entrepreneurship. The winners will receive official certificates and cash prizes, as well as development and mentorship opportunities. The winner in the Excellence in Arts Entrepreneurship category will also receive business development opportunities and mentorship to plough back into their creative endeavours.

Nomination process and eligibility

• Individuals, organisations or community arts centres operating within the disciplines of performing arts, music, visual arts, and literature can be nominated.
• Individuals or organisations must have projects with a proven track record of at least two years.
• Individuals or organisations must be South African and based in the country, but can operate internationally.
• A nomination can be made by either a third party or the individual or organisation.

To submit a nomination, creatives should visit here and complete the nomination form before 30 August. The nomination form must adhere to the nomination guidelines, which can be accessed here.

An independent selection panel comprising industry representatives will evaluate and make recommendations for the three best nominees per category to represent the finalists. Thereafter, the three finalists per category will be announced to the public and one winner per category will be announced at the prestigious MTN Innovation Centre on 26 October 2024.

Below are the awards categories

• Excellence in the Arts (18–45 years of age): Recognising artists and arts organisations excelling in various disciplines, focusing on artistic excellence, innovation, and positive community and sector impact.
• Excellence in Arts Entrepreneurship (no age restriction): Celebrating entrepreneurial achievements in the cultural and creative industries, rewarding innovation and sustainability. Companies must be registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and must be SARS-compliant with a minimum of three years of operation.
• Excellence in Arts Advocacy or Administration (28–75 years of age): Recognising arts administrators, arts activists, and arts organisations advocating for the development of the arts, culture and heritage sector in various disciplines with a focus on artistic excellence and a positive and demonstrated community impact.
• ACT Lifetime Award (55 years or over): This award celebrates individuals in arts and culture whose enduring dedication has greatly enriched South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape over at least 20 years. Recognising contributions in the performing arts, music, visual arts, multidisciplinary, and literature, these accolades highlight the significant impact of these individuals' or organisation’s lifelong commitments.

One may nominate an individual or organisation in more than one award category but must submit a separate nomination for each category. For full details on each award category and eligibility criteria, click here.

Since 1998 the ACT Awards have honoured artists of the highest calibre, such as Esther Mahlangu, William Kentridge, Sibongile Khumalo, Johnny Clegg, Gibson Kente, Nomhle Nkonyeni, Sylvia Glasser, Dorothy Masuku, Miriam Makeba, Caiphus Semenya and many others. This year promises to build on the esteem of the ACT Awards legacy under the theme of African Luminaries.

“This year, in celebration of both ACT’s 30th anniversary and South Africa’s 30 years of democracy, we proudly unveil the rebranded ACT Luminary Awards in partnership with the South African Gallery of Legends and supported by Nedbank, Sun International, MTN South Africa, and Business and Arts South Africa, reviving the legacy of the annual ACT Awards in its 23rd edition,” ACT said.