Cape Town: The Emerging Artists Programme Exhibition Series has successfully concluded its final cycle of three pop-up exhibitions. Between September and December 2025, the programme supported 60 emerging visual artists, aged 16 to 63 from across the City of Cape Town.
Reportedly, the series has focused on creating exhibition opportunities by building professional skills and increasing exposure for early-career artists and providing meaningful platforms for growth and visibility within the creative sector of the city.
Emerging Artists Programme
This was an initiative that helped emerging artists, based in Cape Town to have access to opportunities that helped them to promote their work and develop their profession.
The programme was split into two areas of opportunities to create sustainable and structured development opportunities for local emerging visual artists from previously disadvantaged circumstances.
Support and Opportunities
The programme gave access to two types of opportunities. First was through exhibition, artists got a chance to showcase their local talent and create an opportunity for artists to sell their work, as well as gain experience and exposure. They exhibit through cultural spaces with creative institutions and events such as:
- First Thursdays,
- FAME Week Africa, and
- This is Art
The Emerging Artists Programme Exhibition Series has concluded.
From Sept–Dec 2025, 60 emerging visual artists across Cape Town gained exhibition opportunities, skills development and exposure.
📧 emerging@capetown.gov.za pic.twitter.com/YJmUdsawjS
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) December 31, 2025
Another way was by extending support to the artists. Including mentorship, networks, skill development and capacity building training such opportunities focused on:
- Career planning and development
- Marketing, promotions and social media strategies
- Dealing with galleries and exhibition spaces
- Financial management and legal basics for artists
- Funding
- Masterclass that brought together artists, galleries and patrons of the arts to discuss and navigate their future as an artist
Who were the Applicants
The Emerging Artists Programme welcomed under resourced artists who are based in Cape Town.
- If the artist is young and in the early stage of their career, or is older and have decided to prioritise and refine their practice, but have not yet established a solid reputation in the industry.
- If the artist has received any specialised training in their field of interest or work (i.e. necessarily gained at an academic institution).
- If the artists are at the beginning of their career and have created a modest and independent body of work.
- If the artist has developed or refined their craft over time and has created an independent body of work but lack exposure and opportunities.
The Emerging Artists Programme has proved to be successful series of exhibitions and supported many artists who desire to showcase their talent to the world.