As a nominator, you can nominate up to five artists to enter The Prize. Each artist will then be invited to submit up to three artworks of their choice.
To get started, please read the important information in this section and our FAQs. Next, scroll down and use the forms to fill out your personal information and nominee details. If you have any questions, please send us an email.
There are numerous benefits to participating artists, including:
It is free for artists to enter the Prize online. Once shortlisted, artists are responsible for any production costs associated with their shortlisted artwork. Artists are also responsible for their own shipping costs to the venue.*
As such nominated artists must have gallery representation in order to mitigate any personal costs for participating artists. Should the prospect of shipping costs be too much of a financial burden for an artist, we recommend they do not participate.
*Please note, if the artwork remains unsold, the artist is also responsible for return shipping.
In order to be eligible for the Prize, we require that artworks adhere to the following:
We are always looking to expand our network of nominators. Nominators should have a certain expertise in art from Africa. To apply to be a nominator, please get in touch.
It is free for artists to enter the Prize online. Once shortlisted, artists are responsible for any production costs associated with their shortlisted artwork. Artists are also responsible for their own shipping costs to Cape Town. For details, please read section 7 of our T&Cs.
Proceeds from artwork sales are split equally between the artist and SAF who use the funds to support arts education programmes on the continent.
You may nominate up to five artists in total.
All of your nominees must have current gallery representation, a track record of at least one solo exhibition with a recognised galleries, and submit artwork with a minimum value of US$7,000.
If you have more than 5 you wish to nominate, please contact us directly by email.
1.1 “Artwork” means a piece of art created by an artist, submitted to the Competition through the online entry portal as instructed by SAF.
1.2 “Entrant” means an artist who submits an Entry to the Competition.
1.3 “Entry” means a fully completed entry form and images of the Artwork, submitted through the online entry portal as instructed by SAF.
1.4 “Finalist” means an Entrant whose Artwork has been shortlisted by the Judging Panel to progress to the second round of judging for the Competition and for display in the Finalists’ Exhibition.
1.5 “Finalist’s Exhibition” means the public art exhibition(s) to be held in South Africa and comprising the Finalist’s Artworks as shortlisted by the Judging Panel.
2.1 The Grand Prize Winner is the winning Entrant as selected by the Judging Panel and will be awarded a cash prize of US$25,000.
2.2 The Public Vote Prize Winner is the Entrant (other than the winning Entrant) determined as having received the most votes from the public for their Artwork and will be awarded a cash prize of US$2,000.
2.3 The FAMM Women’s Art Prize Winner is the Entrant (other than the winning Entrant) both self-identified as female and determined as having received the highest score from the Judging Panel and will be awarded a cash prize of US$5,000.
3.1 The Judging Panel will select 30 Entrants as Finalists for this Competition, their Artworks will be exhibited at the Finalists’ Exhibition(s) in South Africa.
3.2 SAF and the Judging Panel reserve the right to make a final decision to accept any Entry for this Competition.
3.3 The decision of SAF and the Judging Panel on any and all matters relating to the Competition will be final and binding. Neither SAF nor members of the Judging Panel shall be obliged or bound to enter into any communications whatsoever regarding such decisions.
3.4 All Entrants must be nominated by one of the appointed nominators listed on the SAF website. Grand Prize Winners of previous editions of The Sovereign African Art Prize are not eligible for nomination.
3.5 All Entrants must be living on the African continent or identify as a member of the African diaspora. For these purposes, a member of the diaspora is defined as the individual and/or their parents holding a passport from an African country.
3.6 Entrants must be practicing artists with current gallery representation and a track record of at least one solo exhibition with a recognised gallery.
3.7: The submitted artwork should command an open market price of a minimum of US$7,000 or more.
3.8 There are no limits to age of Entrants.
4.1 All Artwork(s) must be the original work of the Entrant and must have been produced within or after 2025.
4.2 For the avoidance of doubt, the Entrants hereby warrant that they own the copyright to their Artwork(s) and further warrant that their Artwork contains no feature or aspect or material that constitutes a breach (or potential/anticipatory breach) of a third party’s intellectual property.
4.3 Limited edition Artwork (e.g. photographs, digital works, prints or sculptures) must not have been produced in more than 5 numbered copies with an additional 3 artist’s proofs. In such cases, each Artwork must be signed and numbered, and the Entry must include a declaration stating the edition number of the Artwork and total editions made.
4.4 Medium Artwork consisting of audio, video, time-based media art or performance art or documentary photography will not be accepted. Admissibility of Artworks which do not consist purely of video but which contain a video or media component will be considered on a case-by-case basis by SAF and the Judging Panel.
4.5 All two-dimensional Artworks (including frame or mounting) should not exceed 120(w) x 180(l)cm and should not be more than 7cm in depth. Composite Artworks must fit within these dimensions when placed together. Maximum weight 15kg.
4.6 All three-dimensional Artworks should not exceed 150 x 50 x 50cm (height x width x depth). Installation works will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Maximum weight: 50kg for a floor piece, 20kg for a plinth or hanging installation.
4.7 All Artworks must be available for sale in accordance with Condition 8 below and must remain so until the Entrant is informed that the Competition is at an end.
4.8 Entrants must only submit Artworks with a minimum sale value of US$7,000 or above (see 8.4).
4.9 Entrants should only submit finished, complete Artworks into the Competition. Unfinished Artworks or Artworks which are partially complete will not be accepted.
4.10 Entrants who are finalists of previous editions of the Competition should not submit Artwork that has previously been shortlisted or awarded a Prize (in the previous editions of the Competition). These Entrants are strongly advised to submit Artwork(s) from a different series from those that have been entered previously
5.1 Each Entrant may submit up to three Artworks but only one of these Artworks will be eligible for display in the Finalists’ Exhibition.
5.2 Entrants are required to enter the Competition through the submission platform link as will be sent by SAF. Entrants must complete all fields of the online entry form and upload digital image(s) of their Artwork.
5.3 Artwork images must be high-resolution (min. 300Dpi) and in one of the following formats: JPG, PNG or GIF. For two-dimensional Artworks, 1 or 2 images should be included, with at least one image showing a clear view of the whole Artwork. It is recommended to include a second image showing an Artwork detail. For three- dimensional Artworks, no less than 3 and no more than 5 images should be included, showing different views of the work.
5.4 All images should be a true representation of the final and complete Artwork(s) detailed in the Entry. Images may not be manipulated or otherwise artificially or digitally enhanced by the Entrant.
5.5 All Entries must be received by SAF by 12 midnight GMT on 2 March 2026.
5.6 By completing the entry form, the Entrant agrees to SAF collecting, retaining, processing, or otherwise utilising the Entrant’s personal information for the purposes of processing the Entry to the Competition, the promotion and administration of the Competition including distribution of the details for any and all promotional or marketing purposes and the creation of the Finalist’s Exhibition. The personal information of Entrants will not be shared with third parties or otherwise processed for alternative purposes without the Entrant’s consent.
6.1 Finalists will be officially notified by email and the selected Artworks must be delivered to a location advised by SAF. Each Artwork must be marked clearly on the reverse with the title of the piece, the Entrant’s name and their contact details.
6.2 It is the Entrant’s responsibility to cover all costs of transportation of their artwork to the location advised by SAF, including but not limited to packing, crating and custom charges, as well as insurance to cover any damage that might be occasioned to the artwork during transit. Should the work be unsold after the Competition is at an end, the Entrant will cover all transportation and insurance costs arising from transit of the artwork back to themselves or to another destination as the Entrant may direct.
6.3 It is intended that each Finalist’s Artwork will, at the discretion of SAF, be exhibited and publicised in the Finalists’ Exhibition, associated printed materials and digital channels. SAF will arrange media coverage and publicity for the Finalists’ Exhibition(s).
6.4 Unless otherwise agreed with SAF in writing, each Finalist consents to the following points:
6.5 The Finalist selected as The Grand Prize Winner (under Condition 2.1) and Public Vote Prize Winner (under Condition 2.2) will be publicly announced.
6.6 Entrants shall not make or permit any person to make any public announcement, communication or circular concerning the results of the Competition or any other matter described by any of the SAF representatives on email or otherwise save where such information is already in the public domain or with the express written consent of SAF. Breach of this section shall be treated as a breach of confidentiality and shall be considered a material breach of these terms and conditions.
6.7 SAF reserves the right to disqualify an Entrant, where in the view of SAF: the Artwork does not meet the requirements as stated herein, the Entrant cannot be contacted, or the Entrant does not respond within seven days of being contacted by SAF.
6.8 SAF and the Judging Panel reserve the right to offer the place of a disqualified Entrant to another Entrant but are not obliged to do so.
7.1 Artworks should be adequately framed in order to protect and present the work. If the Entrant does not intend to exhibit the Artwork framed, then adequate protection must be provided for its storage and transportation.
7.2 Artworks should be delivered to SAF with appropriate hanging fixtures already in place and Entrants must provide clear installation instructions in accordance with the installation instructions form provided to them by SAF.
8.1 It is intended that SAF will make best efforts to sell the work of the finalists either by auction, fixed sale or such other methods as SAF in their sole discretion may decide upon. BUT SAF offer no guarantees about such sale.
8.2 If a Finalist’s Artwork is sold, the price achieved for that particular work shall be split equally (50:50, after deduction of any agreed costs) between the Finalist and SAF. SAF will apply their share to their charitable causes helping disadvantaged children in Africa.
8.3 The price for each artwork will be agreed between SAF and the artist but such price must accurately reflect the current normal selling price for a similar piece of artwork by that artist of that size and quality – no more and no less.
8.3 If SAF decide to auction any particular artwork, a reserve can be requested however, the artist agrees that the reserve price for that particular artwork will be set at no more than 80% of the price referred to in paragraph 8.4 above unless SAF and the artist mutually agree otherwise.
8.4 SAF will use their best efforts to achieve the highest possible price for the Artwork but cannot and do not guarantee that any sale or price can be or will be achieved.
9.1 SAF shall appoint the members of its Judging Panel without reference to any third party and publish the appointments on the SAF website.
