Prizes
PORTRAIT: The National Portrait Prize recognises outstanding contemporary portraiture across media. Awards include a headline Main Prize, Category Prizes that broaden inclusion, Supporting Prizes for specific media and themes, a Children’s Prize, and artist honoraria for every exhibiting finalist.
Prize Tiers at a Glance
Awarded to the most outstanding portrait overall.
Emerging Artist, Woman Artist, Sculpture, Time-Based/Moving Image.
Photography, Drawing/Print, Youth (Under 18), Social Impact/Narrative.
Under-12s; free or subsidised entry; school/teacher vouchers optional.
Main Prize — R300,000
The flagship award recognising the most compelling portrait of the year — any medium, any background, selected purely on merit by an independent jury.
What We Look For
- Technical excellence and craft
- Originality and artistic voice
- Relevance to contemporary South African identity
- Emotional or conceptual impact
Who Can Enter
- Open to all artists working in South Africa
- All media, including time-based and digital works
- Collaborations welcome (credit all contributors)
What You Receive
- R300,000 cash award
- National press and catalogue feature
- Exhibition in the finalists’ show
Category Prizes — 4 × R50,000
Recognising excellence across specific dimensions to broaden access and representation.
Emerging Artist
R50,000
Under 30, or within first 5 years of practice.
Woman Artist
R50,000
Celebrating women-identifying artists.
Sculpture
R50,000
For outstanding 3D portraiture.
Time-Based / Moving Image
R50,000
Video, film, digital performance.
Supporting Prizes — 4 × R20,000
Rewarding specific media and vital narratives that shape how portraiture is made and received.
Photography
R20,000
Drawing / Print
R20,000
Youth (Under 18)
R20,000
Social Impact / Narrative
R20,000
Children’s Portrait Prize — 4 × R10,000
Encouraging early engagement with portraiture through schools, families and community partners.
Eligibility
- Ages 5–12 (Grades R–6)
- A4 on paper; hand-drawn or painted
- Free or low-fee entry to remove barriers
Awards
- 4 × R10,000 prizes
- Optional art supply vouchers
- Selected works shown in a kids’ section
How to Submit
- Via schools, libraries, or partner venues
- Digital scan/upload where available
- Parental/guardian consent required
Artist Honoraria
Every exhibiting finalist receives a cash honorarium of R1,000, acknowledging time, transport and materials. We do not operate a pay-to-exhibit model.
How to Enter
Eligibility
- Open to artists working in South Africa
- All media, including sculpture and time-based
- Collaborations welcome
What’s Accepted
- Painting, drawing, print, photography
- Sculpture, installation
- Digital, video, performance documentation
Fees & Dates
- Entry fee: R350 per work (concession policies may apply)
- Entries open & close: see timeline
- Shortlist announced prior to exhibition
Judging & Criteria
A multidisciplinary jury assesses all eligible entries. Works are judged anonymously in the first round, with final deliberations considering concept, execution and presentation.
Primary Criteria
- Technical excellence
- Originality and voice
- Relevance to the contemporary moment
- Emotional/conceptual strength
Selection Process
- Round 1: blind review
- Round 2: panel shortlisting
- Final: in-person/virtual deliberation
Presentation
- Clear images or video stills for submission
- Final works ready to exhibit if selected
- AV/installation support available
Notes & Conditions
- Artists retain copyright to their work; exhibition/PR usage is licensed for the Prize period.
- Sales are facilitated with artist-favourable commission.
- Shortlisted artists may be asked for additional documentation or installation notes.
- Transport/insurance guidance is provided to finalists.
- Full terms are detailed in the Entry Guidelines.
Ready to Submit?
Show us the faces, stories and ideas shaping South Africa today.