Public call for applications – ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme
Bursary Description
For immediate release 11 February 2025
Public call for applications – Annual Arts & Culture Trust Nyoloha Scholarship Programme
Your dream arts scholarship awaits! Stand a chance to earn financial support towards an undergraduate degree to study at an accredited arts institution in South Africa.
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is calling on passionate, talented, and dedicated young South African artists with a specific interest in studying arts at a tertiary or accredited arts institution in South Africa* to apply for a coveted spot on the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme (NSP) for 2025. If you are between the ages of 17 and 25, are eager to pursue a career in the arts, and are ready to take your talents to the next level, this could be the life-changing opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
Are you a singer, dancer, actor, visual or digital artist? Do you qualify for tertiary study? Are you eager for an opportunity to receive discipline-focused training and mentorship? And do you want the opportunity to compete in Johannesburg for 1 of 2 scholarship prizes? Apply now at www.act.org.za/nyoloha. Applications close on 30 March 2025.
The ACT NSP is a partnership between the ACT and the Nedbank Arts Affinity, supported by Nedbank, and MTN Foundation South Africa. The programme was relaunched in 2022 after a 2-year break during the Covid-19 pandemic. This joint initiative creates an opportunity for young performing or visual/digital artists to receive professional arts training and potential scholarship funding ftowards higher education, which is limited to covering registration fees, tuition fees, and books or related study materials.
The undergraduate scholarship programme is aimed at youth aged 17 to 25, who are either currently in matric or already have matric with university undergraduate or college admission, and who are not already studying arts and are not professionals. The goal of this scholarship is to help these youth earn their first qualification in the performing, visual or digital arts at a South African tertiary institution or an ACT approved accredited institution. One successful applicant in each category, that is performing arts and visual or digital arts, will receive a scholarship to start their studies in the 2026 academic year.
The dynamic training component of the programme, which roll out bi-weekly on Saturdays, is designed to empower the selected participants by combining practical exercises, mentorship and collaboration. Participants will develop their technical skills, creative expression, and professional readiness for the creative and cultural industries. The ACT NSP balances virtual training workshops, creative projects, and industry exposure to foster artistic growth for selected participants. The programme will enable key skills and knowledge transference in each participant’s choice of discipline; be it singing, acting, dance, or visual or digital art, and ensure that they become well-versed in the technical and artistic aspects of mixed reality and AI tools.
Visual Arts winner 2023 Azanda Nyangintsimbi says, “Being a recipient of the ACT scholarship was a pivotal moment in my career. It felt incredibly validating and empowering to have my potential recognised and supported by such an organisation. The scholarship provided me with invaluable resources and opportunities, allowing me to hone my craft and pursue my passion for the arts with greater confidence. It opened doors to new experiences, networks and collaborations that have significantly advanced my career. I am currently pursuing Fine Art at Michaelis School of Fine Art. Studying at Michaelis has enabled me to develop my skills and explore new creative avenues. The scholarship has been instrumental in my journey, allowing me to access top-tier education and immerse myself in an inspiring artistic community. The exposure to diverse perspectives and the rigorous training at Michaelis have significantly enriched my artistic practice and broadened my horizons. I am deeply grateful to ACT for its unwavering support and for playing such a crucial role in my artistic journey.”
Application process
- Category 1: Visual and digital arts – Candidates must submit portfolios in line with the application guidelines document.
- Category 2: Performing arts – Candidates must submit a 2-minute video in which they perform in their selected discipline (singing, acting or dance).
- ACT will be accepting a total intake of 80 participants for this year’s scholarship programme.
- The submitted portfolio (visual/digital arts) OR video (performing arts) will be used to shortlist applicants for participation In the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme 2025.
- Parental or guardian consent is required for applicants below 17 years old when applying for a spot on the 2025 scholarship programme.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the end of May 2025.
- The programme comprises bi-weekly online training and mentorship with industry heavyweights.
- Participants must engage and participate in tasks that will be evaluated monthly using a rating system.
- The top 15 candidates across all disciplines will be the finalists and will compete in a gala performance showcase and/or visual and digital arts exhibition on 2 October 2025 and 4 October respectively.
- The finalists will be brought to Johannesburg, from 28 September 2025 until 5 October 2025and hosted for a full week of enrichment activities and preparation for the gala performance showcase and/or visual and digital arts exhibition.
- ACT will cover all expenses for finalists’ travel, accommodation and meals for the above-mentioned week in preparation for the gala performance and exhibition.
- The winners in each of the 2 categories will be revealed at the gala performance on 4 October 2025.
Application requirements
Before applying for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, candidates must ensure they meet all application requirements.
Who may not participate
- Professional artists or performers.
- Those who already have an arts qualification.
- Those who are already registered with a tertiary institution or have already been accepted to register at a tertiary institution in 2025.
- Those who may have participated In the ACT NSP over the past 3 years.
‘The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme offers emerging artists not only access to tertiary education, but also crucial support for their professional and personal growth. The life skills and personal development gained throughout the programme have a transformative impact on the participants. We encourage young people who are passionate about a career in the arts to apply,’ says ACT CEO, Jessica Denyschen.
Poovi Pillay, Executive Head of Corporate Social Investment at Nedbank, commented: ‘Our artists are essential to society; they help us to reflect on ourselves, our beliefs, and the truths and untruths in our world. In South Africa we are blessed with an abundance of young artists with wonderful talent and potential. This scholarship programme significantly contributes to their growth in the visual arts, digital arts, dance, drama, music, singing and performance. The programme includes professional training and mentorship for up to 80 selected artists in the build-up to the end of year finals. There are two scholarships to be won but the goal of the programme is to engage with all of these young artists so that they can achieve a successful and sustainable career.’
ACT, together with long-term partner Nedbank and returning partner MTN South Africa, strongly believes in helping to build a better, more educated and sustainable arts industry in South Africa. The ACT NSP rewards commitment, excellence and growth potential.
Niel Nortjé, Manager of the MTN Art Collection says , “We are once again proud and excited to contribute towards the ACT’s NSP for 2025. As legacy organisations with a future focus, the MTN Foundation and ACT partnership delivers on a strategic objective to participate in the socio-economic development of our disenfranchised youth, by accelerating digital transformation for art skills development, for job creation, and the pursuit of employing digital solutions for the cultural and creative industries.”
Visit www.act.org.za/nyoloha before 30 March 2025 to view the ACT NSP open-call details and start paving your way to a brighter future.
#ACTnyoloha #ACT30 #actstrat #ACTSAtalent #NedbankArtsAffinity #SupportWhatMatters #ArtEducation
*Scholarship amount is dependent on the institution of choice and is limited to R300 000 per person. ENDS
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PRESS KIT LINK: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/2gy6eqf7wqko7gnuna5in/h?rlkey=htqk663nkwxp4lnacjq1mh4gg&dl=0
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SUBMITTED BY: Debra de Souza, debranne@icon.co.za, WhatsApp calls only: 082 822 9478.
EDITED BY: Arts & Culture Trust, info@act.org.za.
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Celebrating 30 years of Arts Excellence – Arts & Culture Trust
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is South Africa’s premier independent development and art investment organisation. The primary aim of ACT is to increase the capacity for arts and culture initiatives to create sustainable futures, through development and investment in innovative, sustainable projects that make a meaningful contribution to society. Through structured development programmes, ACT provides support to all expressions of arts and culture, including literature, music, visual art, theatre, and dance, and the support extends to festivals, community arts initiatives, arts management, arts education, and arts administration.
Over the past 30 years, ACT has supported more than 830 arts, culture, and heritage development projects countrywide which includes small businesses. For more information, please visit the ACT website, follow them on X, or like their Facebook page.
About Nedbank
In partnership with ACT, the Nedbank Arts Affinity has donated more than R30 million over 30 years to support over 830 arts, culture, and heritage development projects countrywide. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of talented young artists in South Africa, simply link your Nedbank Greenbacks to the Arts Affinity and Nedbank will donate money to ACT, at no cost to you. The Arts Affinity currently supports the ACT Thuthukisani Programme and the ACT Tlholo Project. For more information, visit any Nedbank branch, call us on 0860 555 111 or visit nedbankarts.co.za.
About MTN South Africa
Launched in 1994, MTN South Africa is a subsidiary of MTN Group, a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of modern connected life. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code ‘MTN’. Our strategy is Ambition 2025: Leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress.
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