Sponsor the Prize
PORTRAIT: The National Portrait Prize is South Africa’s flagship celebration of contemporary portraiture —
a platform that elevates artists, engages audiences nationwide, and creates measurable cultural and social impact.
PORTRAIT offers sponsors a fully managed national cultural initiative with measurable CSI/ESG outcomes, national visibility,
stakeholder engagement opportunities, and long-term public value — with no operational burden on your team.
Sponsors support trusted cultural infrastructure that delivers:
• Artist opportunity at scale (prize funding + fair-pay participation)
• Public access (free opening and four-week exhibition)
• Youth development (dedicated youth and children’s prizes)
• Reputationally safe visibility (independent judging and clear brand guidelines)
Sponsor Benefits at a Glance
A single partnership delivers national visibility, CSI/ESG impact, stakeholder engagement, and long-tail brand association — through a professionally delivered, governance-led Prize.
| Tier | VIP Invitations (Opening + Awards) | Core Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Presenting Partner | 12 | Title association (“presented by”) |
| Major Partner | 8 | Main Prize association |
| Platinum Sponsor | 5 | Category Prize naming rights |
| Gold Sponsor | 3 | Platform + catalogue recognition |
| Children’s Award Sponsor | 2 | Children’s Prize naming rights |
| Local Supporting Sponsor | 2 | “Friends of the Prize” recognition |
VIP invitation allocations are fixed per tier and confirmed in the sponsorship prospectus and agreements.
Request the Sponsorship Prospectus
For full sponsorship tiers, pricing, deliverables, and CSI/ESG reporting frameworks, please request the PORTRAIT Sponsorship Prospectus.
We’ll also arrange a short introductory call to confirm alignment with your objectives.
Request Sponsorship Prospectus Enquire / Book a Call
We respond personally within one business day.
CSI & ESG Alignment
PORTRAIT aligns with CSI and ESG priorities through direct artist support, youth development, inclusive participation, and cultural accessibility. Sponsors receive post-event impact reporting tailored for CSI/ESG disclosures.
What sponsor support enables:
- Youth development: dedicated youth and children’s prizes, school engagement, and early participation pathways
- Inclusive participation: open entry across mediums and broad national reach
- Public access: a free opening event and a four-week public exhibition
- Sector sustainability: a professionally documented catalogue and long-term public archive
- Auditable outcomes: participation and reach metrics, documentation, and sponsor deliverables reporting
Visible Social Impact
Together, these elements deliver a single, well-governed partnership that provides national impact with minimal operational complexity.
Audience & Reach
Entries:
Projected national submissions across multiple mediums, representing artists across regions and communities.
Exhibition Footfall:
A four-week free public exhibition supported by an opening event designed for broad public access and stakeholder engagement.
Media & Digital:
Earned and owned reach across press and social, supported by catalogue and archive visibility beyond the exhibition period.
KPIs are agreed with each sponsor, and a post-event CSI/ESG outcomes report is delivered after each Prize cycle.
Integrity and Governance
Governance & Curatorial Integrity
Independent judging and transparent conflict-of-interest management ensure that the Prize maintains artistic credibility and public trust.
Curatorial Independence
Sponsors do not influence artistic selection, judging, or curatorial decisions. All agreements protect the independence and integrity of the Prize.
Clear Brand Guidelines
Sponsor brand use is managed through structured approvals to protect both your reputation and the Prize’s cultural integrity.
FAQs
Can we customise a package?
Yes. We align benefits with your CSI/ESG objectives, audiences, and reporting requirements.
Are sponsors involved in judging?
No. Judging is conducted independently to protect integrity and public trust.
Can we use images in our marketing?
Yes. Approved imagery and usage rights are provided, supported by clear brand guidelines and approvals.
Do you support B-BBEE SED?
We are a 51% Black woman-owned Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) with a Level 2 B-BBEE status, qualifying under the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA). Sponsorship spend contributes to Preferential Procurement recognition on your B-BBEE scorecard.
Ready to Partner?
Email sponsor@nationalportraitprize.co.za or call +27 XX XXX XXXX.
We will send the prospectus and arrange a 20-minute introductory call.
Key Dates
Entries Open
To be confirmed.
Entries Close
To be confirmed.
Finalists Announced
To be confirmed.
Exhibition and Awards
To be confirmed.