StateoftheART is delighted to present a national open call for artists to apply to the StateoftheART Gallery Award, a visual arts prize aimed at uncovering emerging South African talent.  Entry is open to all artists in South Africa, aged 18 years and older, who have not held a solo exhibition with a commercial gallery.

The winner of the 2021 StateoftheART Gallery Award will receive a R40 000 cash prize and a solo exhibition with StateoftheART.  Finalists will participate in a group exhibition at the Cape Town gallery in September this year.  Entries open online on 01 April 2021, and close at midday on 30 June 2021. The award winner will be announced at the opening ceremony of the Finalists Group Exhibition in September 2021.

The Award jury comprises of experts from different spheres of the art world: artist, academic, curator, and gallerist. The jury’s role is to help recognize artists who stand out above the rest, who demonstrate significant potential, interesting ideas, and skillful execution.

About the Award

Launched in 2018, the StateoftheART Gallery Award is a not-for-profit initiative of the StateoftheART Gallery and aims to unearth and promote artists who have yet to establish a profile on the contemporary South African art scene. The Award provides an opportunity for artists to exhibit their work in a prestigious and highly visible space in the heart of Cape Town, to gain exposure and raise their profile.

The Award is open to artists working in one or more of the following media: drawing, printing, painting, photography, digital art and sculpture. There is no participation fee and artists are required to submit three cohesive artworks to the 2021Award theme ‘On The Brink: Visualising Climate Change’. Entry is online only.

For more information and competition rules visit www.stateoftheart-gallery.com/award or contact Andrea Stallbom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For regular updates on the Award follow the Award on Facebook or Instagram

About StateoftheART Gallery

StateoftheART is an innovative boutique-style gallery and e-commerce platform representing selected emerging and mid-career visual artists from across South Africa. Established in 2010 and a pioneer in the online art market, StateoftheART offers a carefully curated collection of affordable contemporary art directly to buyers through their 'click-to-buy' service for collectors unable to visit their Cape Town gallery in person. The gallery hosts an exciting program of exhibitions by up-and-coming local artists. For more information on gallery events visit www.stateoftheart-gallery.com/art-exhibitions

Important Dates

For artists wishing to enter the competition, the entry deadline is 30 June 2021. Finalists will be announced in August 2021, and the finalists’ exhibition will take place during September 2021.

For Media enquiries please contact: Jennifer Reynolds (gallery owner) on 072 470 9272 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.