Arts & Culture Trust Announces Nyoloha Scholarship Programme for 2026

Arts & Culture Trust Announces Nyoloha Scholarship Programme for 2026 The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) has been actively serving the arts and culture sector in all 9 provinces of South Africa for 31 years in the form of development and grant making.

The value of this legacy lies not only in the longevity and sustainability of the organisation, but the fact that the organisation prides itself in keeping up with trends across the arts sector and therefore includes emerging disciplines that are critical to the future survival and growth of the industry.

Although the ACT was known as the Arts and Culture Trust of the President when it opened its doors in 1994, it now functions completely independent of government as a registered non-profit organisation. Not only does the majority of its support come from the private sector and ACT’s investment portfolio, but the organisation is an influencer in the sector, with a reputation that lends credibility to the initiatives and organisations it becomes involved with.

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About ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme

Nyoloha is Sesotho for Rise! The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme is an undergraduate scholarship initiative designed to provide life-changing opportunities for school leavers to pursue tertiary studies in the performing, visual, and digital arts. Through a blend of mentorship, training, and live showcases, participants gain professional exposure, build networks, and prepare for sustainable careers in the creative economy.

The programme is proudly supported by Nedbank, Sun International and MTN South Africa.

Category	Details
Programme	ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme 2026
Focus Areas	Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Digital Arts
Scholarship Value	Up to R300,000 per recipient
Number of Awards	Two full scholarships annually
Study Start	2027 academic year
Eligibility Age	17–25 years
Target Group	Grade 12 learners or applicants with university exemption
Support Includes	Mentorship, workshops, industry exposure, live showcases
Programme Duration	Approximately 6 months (selection and development phases)
Sponsors	Nedbank, Sun International, MTN South Africa

Fields Covered

The scholarship supports studies in:

Performing Arts

Acting
Dance
Music
Theatre production
Stage performance

Visual Arts

Fine arts
Illustration
Sculpture
Photography
Mixed media

Digital Arts

Animation
Graphic design
Multimedia design
Digital storytelling
Creative technology

Programme Highlights

Identifies talent nationwide through auditions and portfolio reviews.
Provides three months of mentorship and workshops with industry leaders.
Culminates in a visual arts exhibition and performing arts showcase of finalists’ work.
Awards two full scholarships annually (up to R300,000 each) in Performing Arts and Visual/Digital Arts.
Builds an alumni network connecting graduates to opportunities in the creative economy.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Aged between 17 and 25
Currently in Grade 12 or possess university exemption
Require financial assistance for tertiary studies in arts disciplines
Planning to study in 2027 at a South African accredited institution
Not registered at a tertiary institution during 2026
No existing tertiary qualification in an arts discipline
Not a professional artist (no full-time employment or formal advanced training in their field)
Not a 2025 ACT Nyoloha participant or finalist
Willing to commit to the full programme duration

These requirements ensure the scholarship supports emerging, not already-established, creatives.

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