The Association for Visual Arts (AVA) is pleased to invite proposals for their 2026 exhibition programme.
What Are They Looking For?
The Association for Visual Arts is looking to support exhibitions that expose new works, feature a wide range of media, highlight marginalised histories, experiences and artistic practices and confront social challenges.
What is the Selection Process?
Proposals will be considered by a selection committee composed of Association for Visual Arts board members and invited panellists. Both solo and group exhibition proposals are welcomed. Early career artists and curators, women artists and curators, creatives working with digital and time-based media are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline
Submissions for the 2026 programme close on the 31st of July 2025 and applicants will be notified of the outcome by the end of September 2025.
The administration fee for this open call is R150. Pensioners and students pay a reduced fee of R75. This is payable here. Once the fee is paid, applicants will receive a complimentary AVA membership valid for one year. Please note all current AVA members (with paid up membership fees) are exempt from the application fee.
How to Apply:
Click here to access the application form.
Costs
AVA has four different galleries: the Main Gallery (96m2), the Front Gallery (22m2), the Long Gallery (35m2), the Mezzanine Gallery (42m2) as well as a fifth space called a New Media room (7m2). The Long gallery is also equipped for digital projections and time-based media works. Depending on which gallery space applicants prefer, there is a facilitation fee payable. This fee includes gallery space for a period of + 6 weeks, assisted installation of the exhibition, marketing, signage, administration, insurance and management for the duration of the exhibition. Below are the different costs for the different galleries:
Front Gallery: R4000
Long Gallery: R3000
Main Gallery: R7000
Mezzanine Gallery: R4000
New Media Room: R1500
Applicants will need to indicate in their proposal in which gallery they imagine installing their exhibition. The members of the selection committee will do their best to accommodate applicants’ choices, but the final placement depends on programming. When filling in their applications, applicants will have the opportunity to apply for a facilitation fee waiver and exhibition support. Only early-career (under 34) and women artists and curators as well as artists and curators living with disabilities are eligible to apply.
Please note that AVA does not fund newly commissioned work. Please note that the AVA is not a funding body but applies to various funding institutions and sponsors for exhibition support on behalf of eligible applicants. The availability of such support is not guaranteed and the applicants must be prepared to cover the cost of their exhibition, including the facilitation fee should they be selected for the AVA programme.
