Young artists across South Africa now have more time to apply for the 2026 ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, after organisers announced an extension of the application deadline to Monday, 27 April 2026.
The programme, run by the Arts & Culture Trust, supports emerging creative talent in the performing, visual and digital arts. Now in its fifth edition, the scholarship initiative continues to invest in the next generation of South African artists.
Two R300,000 Scholarships Available
The programme will award two scholarships valued at R300,000 each. These scholarships support accredited tertiary arts studies beginning in 2027.
The initiative is sponsored by Nedbank, Sun International and the MTN Foundation.
Beyond financial support, the programme includes a structured four month online mentorship and skills development programme led by industry experts in both the performing and visual arts sectors.
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to South African emerging artists aged between 17 and 25 who qualify for tertiary education.
Eligible disciplines include:
- Acting
- Singing
- Dance
- Visual arts
- Digital arts
Applicants can access the online application platform at act.org.za/nyoloha.
Support for Applicants
In addition to the online application process, the programme is inviting schools, community centres and organisations to host in-person open call sessions.
These sessions provide prospective applicants with information about eligibility requirements and guidance on preparing a strong application.
Schools or organisations interested in hosting a session can contact the ACT team via email at info@act.org.za or marketing@act.org.za.
Alumni Success Stories
The programme has already helped launch the careers of several prominent South African creatives.
Among its alumni is performer Tankiso Mamabolo, who received the scholarship in 2011 and later developed a successful career as an independent songwriter, composer and singer after studying at the University of Cape Town. She has released two albums and recently starred as Mama Morton in the musical Chicago.
Actor Wonder Ndlovu has appeared in productions such as Justice Served, GO and Scandal!, while Dillon Windvogel is widely recognised for his role as Wade Daniels in the Netflix series Blood & Water, as well as appearances in Spinners and Arendsvlei.
Media personality and actress Candice Modiselle, a 2012 scholarship recipient, has gone on to build a prominent career in television, including her role on Generations: The Legacy. She was also named among the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans in 2023.
Visual artist Rick Baloyi, a 2019 scholarship recipient, has gained recognition for his work commissioned for a curated arts experience at Africa’s first Montreux Jazz Arts Festival in Franschhoek, with his work appearing in multiple gallery exhibitions and on Latitudes Online.
Building South Africa’s Creative Economy
The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme aims to identify emerging artistic talent across the country and provide mentorship, training and exposure to the professional creative industries.
Participants take part in workshops and mentorship sessions before presenting their work at a final showcase event featuring both visual art and performing arts.
Since its relaunch in 2022, the programme has:
- Awarded eight scholarships
- Mentored and trained 257 young South Africans
- Created more than 100 professional gig opportunities in the arts sector
Through partnerships with organisations such as the Nedbank Arts Affinity, alumni have also gained employment opportunities in entertainment services at corporate events and other industry platforms.
Celebrating 32 Years of Arts Development
The Arts & Culture Trust has spent more than three decades supporting arts and cultural development across South Africa.
Over the past 32 years the organisation has supported more than 830 arts, culture and heritage development projects nationwide, including festivals, community arts initiatives, arts education programmes and creative small businesses.
The extended deadline provides aspiring young artists across the country with additional time to prepare their applications and take advantage of a programme designed to support sustainable careers in the creative industries.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the new deadline of 27 April 2026.
Leave a Reply