Cape Town’s creative pipeline is opening up once again, with applications now live for the City’s Emerging Artists Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at giving early-career visual artists the skills, mentorship and exposure needed to step confidently into the professional art world.
Now entering its sixth year, the programme has become a launchpad for hundreds of young creatives, offering hands-on development opportunities to around 200 emerging artists annually, most of them youth, as noted by the City of Cape Town.
The call for participation for the 2026 intake is currently open and will close on 13 February, with just 25 places available.
For artists still finding their footing, the programme offers more than training. Participants gain access to mentorship, practical skills development and a curated exhibition platform, a combination that has proven to be a game-changer for many past participants.
A standout feature of the programme is its partnership with the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, where four emerging artists are selected each year to showcase their work.
In recent editions, those artists sold out their collections, a signal, organisers say, that when young creatives are given real platforms, the results can be immediate and tangible.
The programme culminates in a public exhibition scheduled for May, where participants are encouraged to apply what they have learned and present their work to broader audiences.
The exhibition also provides an opportunity to sell artwork, giving artists a first taste of the commercial side of the industry.
While applications are open for emerging visual artists, the City’s broader commitment to creative development is already playing out on the ground through its Arts Aweh! after-school programme, which is currently under way for 2026.
Arts Aweh! is a free creative programme for learners aged 5 to 17, offering activities ranging from drawing and painting to photography, poetry, dance, hip hop, clay work and beading.
The programme has consistently drawn strong interest, recording 64 819 engagements between November 2024 and June 2025 alone.
During that period, 3 173 learners participated across 13 facilities, while the programme also created 36 employment opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme.
This year’s Arts Aweh! sessions began on 8 January at venues in Mfuleni, Pelican Park, Hanover Park and Athlone, and have already reached more than 2 000 young people. Additional venues are expected to come on board in the coming months, with the programme running until 26 May 2026.
Sessions take place from Mondays to Fridays between 2pm and 5pm, with all materials and art supplies provided at no cost.
Once completed, participants’ work will be exhibited at various City facilities, giving young artists a chance to see their creativity displayed in public spaces.
Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, said arts initiatives like these play a critical role beyond artistic skills.
‘Arts programmes like these give young people safe spaces to learn, express themselves and build confidence through creativity,’ she said.
‘We have seen great appetite in the past for these programmes, and I’m hoping this year will be no different. I encourage learners and aspiring young artists to make the most of these platforms.’
Aspiring artists interested in the Emerging Artists Programme can apply by emailing [email protected], while further details are available on the City’s website. Queries about Arts Aweh! can be directed to [email protected].
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Picture: CoCT/Facebook
