Emerging Artists Programme at City of Cape Town for young artists seeking exposure to showcase their talents
- Career Exibs SA
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
Apply for the Emerging Artists Programme
Under-resourced emerging artists based in Cape Town can benefit from opportunities to gain experience and exposure, showcase local talent and sell their works.
About
The City runs various workshops throughout the year, as part of the Emerging Artists Programme. The workshops are designed to give under-resourced artists from previously disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to gain experience and exposure, showcase their talent and sell their work.
There are two separate workshops and you can choose to take part in either, or both.
If you are selected for the capacity building workshop, you will take part in in-depth discussions on topics that cover how to source art supplies to finding exhibition and studio space.
If you are selected for the exhibition workshop, you will learn how to put an exhibition together and have the opportunity to showcase and sell your work at a venue in the city.
Opportunities
You can access two types of opportunities within the Emerging Artist Programme.
1 . Exhibition opportunities
We showcase local talent and create an opportunity for artists to sell work, as well as gain experience and exposure. We exhibit though cultural spaces, creative institutions, and events such as First Thursdays, FAME Week Africa and This is Art.
2 . Support
Mentorship and networks, skills development and capacity building training support opportunities focus on:
career planning and development;
marketing, promotions and social media strategies;
dealing with galleries and exhibition spaces;
financial management and legal basics for artists;
funding;
masterclasses that bring together artists, galleries and patrons of the arts to discuss navigating your future as an artist.
Who can apply?
Under-resourced artists who are based in Cape Town. Ideally, you:
are young and in the early stage of your career, or are older and have decided to prioritise and refine your practice, but have not yet established a solid reputation in the industry.
have specialised training in your field of interest or work (not necessarily gained at an academic institution);
are at the beginning of your career, and have created a modest, independent body of work;
have developed or refined your craft over time, and have created an independent body of work but lack exposire and opportunities.
Take note of the following before submitting your application:
The programme is open to any emerging artist who is based in Cape Town and who either paints, sculpts or draws.
There is no age limit.
Workshops are held at various venues across the city during evenings and weekends. All sessions are compulsory.
As per the Protection of Personal Informaiton (PoPI) Act, No. 4 of 2013, the Personal information requested here will only be used to:
Process your application and add your details to our Emerging Artists Database.
Contact you as and when suitable programmes, showcase opportunities and related events become available.
Keep track of our programme participants and regularly assess whether our programmes are meeting its objectives.
Furthermore, the personal information collected will not be shared or used for any other purpose other than those set out above. Personal information will be destroyed or irreversibly anonymised if or when it is no longer needed or it is no longer necessary to retain it. For more information, refer to our Privacy Policy.
Once you have completed the application form, your information will be captured into a database and we will contact you once certain criteria has been met. Should you wish to opt out at any time or require further information, you can let us know by sending your request to emerging@capetown.gov.za. You will be removed from the database and all your data will also be destroyed/anonymised if you choose to opt out.