All competitions · Prize / award
Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize 2026
BNAP Foundation · Johannesburg, South Africa
Annual South African prize for emerging artists aged 18–35 without a solo exhibition or gallery representation. Winner receives a funded 12-week residency at Ellis House, Johannesburg, stipend and a solo show at Everard Read. 2026 deadline 31 January.
Your eligibility
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Who can enter
- Location
- Open worldwide
- Age
- 18 to 35
- Career stage
- Emerging
- Mediums
- Printmaking, Painting, Drawing, Mixed media
- Status
- Artists without gallery representation
- Solo shows
- Must not have had a solo exhibition
- Attendance
- Must attend in person
- Work made
- Within the last 1 years
- Submission
- Online submission
- Also
- Aged 18–35; no previous solo exhibition (academic excepted); not represented by a gallery or manager; must be based in South Africa for the 12-week residency; submitted works no older than 12 months and unsold.
About
The Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize is the BNAP Foundation's flagship programme supporting young and emerging visual artists. Applicants must be aged 18 to 35, have never held a solo exhibition (academic solo shows excepted), not be represented by a gallery or artist manager, and be based in South Africa for the duration of the residency; international artists may apply but cover their own visa and travel.
Submitted artworks may not be older than 12 months and must not be sold or under contract. Applications comprise a portfolio, project proposal, biography, artist statement, CV and certified ID or passport copy. Printmaking, painting, drawing, mixed media and other forms are accepted.
The 2026 deadline was 31 January 2026 (00:00 SAST). The winner receives a three-month furnished studio at Ellis House in Johannesburg for a twelve-week residency (1 June–31 August 2026) with mentorship, workshops, a materials budget, a monthly living stipend and a solo exhibition at Everard Read Gallery Johannesburg. Finalists show in a group exhibition at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange where the winner is announced.