The National Arts Festival is inviting artists, producers and creative practitioners to submit work for consideration as part of its Curated Programme in 2027.
Artists and creative practitioners can submit work at different stages of development, from completed productions ready for presentation and touring to projects still in development and early-stage artistic ideas.
The National Arts Festival is particularly interested in completed works and works currently in development, while remaining open to new ideas, particularly where there is existing interest from potential co-producers.
Funding
The National Arts Festival does not specify a fixed funding amount for projects selected for the 2027 Curated Programme.
Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive, itemised production budget as part of their proposal, outlining the costs associated with presenting or developing the work.
Categories
Applicants may submit proposals under three categories.
Completed Works are fully realised projects that have already had some form of public presentation and are ready to tour or be presented to new audiences. These may be newly created works or older productions.
Works Currently in Development are projects that are already in the creation process but still require further development or finalisation before they are ready for public presentation.
New Ideas are projects that remain at the conceptual stage. The Festival is particularly interested in ideas that already demonstrate interest or potential involvement from co-producers.
Applicants can submit a maximum of two proposals.
Eligibility
South African artists and creative practitioners can submit work at different stages of development, from completed productions ready for presentation and touring to projects still in development and early-stage artistic ideas.
The Curated Programme welcomes submissions across a broad range of disciplines and formats, including:
Theatre, musical theatre, dance and performance art
Busking and performance in public or unconventional spaces
Live music, ensembles, DJs, jazz and choral music
Visual art, exhibitions, installations and public art
Feature films, documentaries, animation and multimedia
Gaming and multimedia installations
Heritage projects
Multidisciplinary work
Talks and discourse
Application information
Deadline: 27 September 2026
For more information and to apply, click here.
Your funding experts
InterArts Funding offers its expertise to assist you in applying for grant opportunities (including this one), leveraging our extensive experience to enhance your chances of securing the grant. It is important to clarify that InterArts Funding is an independent entity and is not affiliated with any specific funding organisation. While we have a commendable track record of success, we cannot guarantee the approval of your application. Grant outcomes depend on various factors beyond our control.