Open call: Arts and Culture Trust Nyoloha Scholarship programme in SA

The call is designed for South Africans aged between the ages of 17 and 25. Applicants should be eager to pursue a career in the arts, and are ready to take their talents to the next level. They must have a specific interest in studying arts at a tertiary or accredited arts institution in South Africa.

The undergraduate scholarship programme is aimed at young South Africans who are either currently in matric or already have matric with university undergraduate or college admission, and who are not already studying arts and are not professionals.

The goal of the scholarship is to help these youth earn their first qualification in the performing, visual or digital arts at a South African tertiary institution or an ACT approved accredited institution. One successful applicant in each category, that is performing arts and visual or digital arts, will receive a scholarship to start their studies in the 2026 academic year.

Application process

• Category 1: Visual and digital arts – Candidates must submit portfolios in line with the application guidelines document.
• Category 2: Performing arts – Candidates must submit a two-minute video in which they perform in their selected discipline (singing, acting or dance).
• ACT will be accepting a total intake of 80 participants for this year’s scholarship programme.
• The submitted portfolio (visual/digital arts) or video (performing arts) will be used to shortlist applicants for participation in the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme 2025.
• Parental or guardian consent is required for applicants below 17 years old when applying for a spot on the 2025 scholarship programme.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the end of May 2025.
• The programme comprises bi-weekly online training and mentorship with industry heavyweights.
• Participants must engage and participate in tasks that will be evaluated monthly using a rating system.
• The top 15 candidates across all disciplines will be the finalists and will compete in a gala performance showcase and/or visual and digital arts exhibition on 2 and 4 October, respectively.
• The finalists will be brought to Johannesburg, from 28 September 2025 until 5 October 2025 and hosted for a full week of enrichment activities and preparation for the gala performance showcase and/or visual and digital arts exhibition.
• ACT will cover all expenses for finalists’ travel, accommodation and meals for the above-mentioned week in preparation for the gala performance and exhibition.
• The winners in each of the 2 categories will be revealed at the gala performance on 4 October 2025.

Application requirements

• Before applying for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship programme, candidates must ensure they meet all application requirements.
• All applicants must read the application guidelines document carefully before submitting their application.
• If under the age of 18, applicants must complete and submit the official consent form.
• Eligible Institutions: The scholarship is applicable to specific tertiary institutions. Click here to view the recommended tertiary list to confirm eligibility.
• Performing arts applicants (actors), must prepare their audition piece using the provided monologues here.
• All required documents and resources can be accessed via the ACT webpage.

Who may not participate

• Professional artists or performers.
• Those who already have an arts qualification.
• Those who are already registered with a tertiary institution or have already been accepted to register at a tertiary institution in 2025.
• Those who may have participated In the ACT NSP over the past three years.

Interested artists should apply here before 30 March.

The dynamic training component of the programme, which roll out bi-weekly on Saturdays, is designed to empower the selected participants by combining practical exercises, mentorship and collaboration. Participants will develop their technical skills, creative expression, and professional readiness for the creative and cultural industries. The ACT NSP balances virtual training workshops, creative projects, and industry exposure to foster artistic growth for selected participants. The programme will enable key skills and knowledge transference in each participant’s choice of discipline; be it singing, acting, dance, or visual or digital art, and ensure that they become well-versed in the technical and artistic aspects of mixed reality and AI tools.

View the original call here.