South Africa’s artists are be
ing invited to step forward with bold, community-driven ideas as the National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) opens its Annual Project Funding Call for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Who can apply?
The call is open to individual arts practitioners, registered arts organisations and community arts centres working in craft, dance, literature, music, theatre and musical theatre, visual arts, and multidisciplinary arts.
In a statement, the NAC said the call is aimed at supporting projects that continue to “educate, entertain and enlighten audiences”, while demonstrating clear impact and value in the communities where they are implemented.
Practitioners are encouraged to submit projects rooted in South African indigenous art forms, as well as initiatives that strengthen capacity in areas such as intellectual property. However, only one application per applicant will be supported, whether submitted by an individual, organisation or company.
Funding focus
Importantly, proposed projects must address at least two of the NAC’s six critical focus areas: Social Cohesion and Nation Building; Marginalised and Indigenous Arts; Addressing Social Ills; Supporting Vulnerable Groups; New Works and Digital Arts; and Capacity Building and Arts Entrepreneurship.
The NAC said funding allocations will be aligned with its redress and transformation imperatives, adding that no applicant is automatically entitled to funding. “All funding is at the discretion of the NAC,” the Council stated.
Applications open on 2 February 2026 and close on 13 March 2026 at 23:59. The outcomes will be announced on 29 May 2026.
The maximum amount that can be applied for is R350 000 per project.
Applications must be submitted online via the NAC’s grants management system. Manual applications may be requested via email, but this option is strictly reserved for applicants who do not have access to internet services. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
This information was supplied by the NAC
Applicants need to register and complete the online application form using the following link: https://nac.praxisgms.co.za/.
Manual applications can be requested from info@nac.org.za. This service is reserved only for those who lack access to internet services.
Funding guidelines can be downloaded from www.nac.org.za.
For more information, contact info@nac.org.za or call 011 010 8886.
Email
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp