The Blessing Ngobeni Art Foundation has officially opened the application submission period for the 2024 Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize (BNAP), an award designed to empower and propel young and emerging visual artists as they embark on their careers.
Focused on artists under the age of 35, the Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize recognizes excellence in the fields of sculpture, drawing, painting, and mixed media. This prestigious award not only acknowledges artistic talent but also provides a platform for emerging artists to showcase their skills to a wider audience.
Now entering its eighth year, the Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize (BNAP) has solidified its position as a community-based organization. Its mission is to pave the way for young artists to commence their artistic journeys. Recognizing the challenges faced by many artists in South Africa, who struggle to sustain their careers due to financial constraints, BNAP aims to inspire and guide them to persevere in the field of art.
BNAP seeks to enlighten artists about the myriad opportunities within the art industry. Artists often abandon their craft due to a lack of viable income, resulting in the loss of valuable talents. It introduces them to essential support structures such as galleries, project spaces, mentorship programs, and residencies. This way it also empowers artists to make the most of available opportunities.
Its goal is to grant artists access to a diverse range of opportunities, including international residencies, collaborations with galleries across South Africa for group shows featuring emerging artists, and participation in prominent art fairs. This approach aims to foster diversity in the art industry and build robust networks among artists, art businesses, and other organizations.
To date, BNAP has collaborated with esteemed entities such as Everard Read/CIRCA Gallery, Art Angels, The Melrose Gallery, MMArtHouse, Aspire Art Auctions, Bag Factory, Infra-Afrika Advisory, Ellis House Art Building, Nyko Enterprise, Boschendal, as well as Art Lefatshe Fine Art consultancy and development agency.
The BNAP Foundation Awards is in partnership with the Dramatic Artistic Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It seeks to recognize and support young and emerging artists in launching their careers. Invited to submit their applications are visual artists working in various mediums, including printmaking, painting, drawing, mixed media, and other forms of art.
A selection committee will carefully consider all submissions and choose finalists. They will feature the artworks in a group exhibition at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The award ceremony will occur during this exhibition, announcing the winners.
Notable past winners of the BNAP FOUNDATION AWARDS include Tshepo Sizwe Phokojoe, Boitumelo Motau, Montshiwa Brian, Abongile Sidzumo, Phenyo Melody Madiba, Simphiwe Buthelezi, and Tendai Mupita.
JSE Art Collection Acquisition.
Group exhibition finalists stand a chance of their work being selected for the JSE Art Collection.
Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize provides the winning artist with:
- A 3-months furnished studio space at Ellis House in Johannesburg.
- A twelve-week studio residency in Johannesburg from 1 June – 31 August 2024.
- Bi-weekly meetings with the administrators of BNAP Foundation.
- Access to a curated program of workshops.
- A solo exhibition at the Everard Read Gallery Cape Town in October 2024.
- A materials budget for art production while in residence.
- A monthly living stipend. Flights and accommodation to Cape Town for their solo exhibition.
The artist is expected to:
- Attend bi-weekly meetings with the administrators of the Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize.
- Produce new and exciting works for a solo exhibition at the Everard Read gallery.
- Complete a written report on completion of the residency.
- Arrive on time and stay for the full period (12 weeks).
- Attend workshops coordinated for the residency.
- Work from the studio that will be provided.
- Attend events coordinated or suggested by the BNAP team.
Selection Criteria:
- Artists must be between the ages of 18 -35 yrs.
- Artists must be based in South Africa.
- International artists interested in applying for the BNAP award are welcome to do so but must cover their own visa, flights, and accommodation costs.
- Artists must have never held a solo exhibition.
- Artists should not be represented by a gallery/artist manager.
- Artists must be willing to commit and avail themselves for the full duration of their residency.
- Winning artists will be expected to attend workshops and write a detailed report at the end of their residency.
Deadline for submissions is 29 February 2024 @ 17:00 (SAST).
To apply, click here
