Cape Town: The Arts Programmes open doors for young creatives in 2026. Applications are open for the annual Emerging Artists programme of the City of Cape Town.
It is an exciting opportunity for bold, creative talent who are ready to take their art to the next level. It is designed to support, showcase and grow the next generation of creative voices. While the Arts Aweh!, an after-school art programme is already under way for 2026.
If you are a young aspiring artist looking to gain exposure and experience, then don’t miss your opportunity to apply for the Emerging Artist Programme of the City of Cape Town.
The programme is in its 6th year and is creating opportunities for visual artists by providing mentorship, skills development and exhibition opportunities for around 200 emerging artists each year, considering the vast majority of youth.
Through partnership with the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, they showcase four of these emerging artists annually and in recent editions, those artists have sold out. Proving that when you build pathways, young people will take them.
Currently, the call for participation in 2026 is open and will close on Feb 13, 2026. The programme is for early-career artists who are seeking practical skills, mentorship and exhibition experience, where only 25 slots are available.
Exhibition will showcase the artwork in May 2026. It is an opportunity for the participants to put into practice what they have learnt during the training and offers an opportunity to sell their artwork.
The Arts Aweh! Programme is a free creative after-school programme for learners of age 5 to 17, offering a range of activities that includes drawing, painting, photography, hip-hop, dance, performance, poetry, clay and beading.
This programme is incredibly popular and recorded 64,819 engagements for the period November 2024 to June 2025. During that period, 3,173 learners participated at 13 facilities and the programme created 36 employment opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme.
Latest edition of the programme began at various venues in Mfuleni, Pelican Park, Hanover Park and Athlone on Jan 08, 2026, it has already reached over 2000 young people. Additional venues will be added in the coming months, with the programme that will conclude on May 26, 2026.
Also, participants can attend the programme from Mondays to Fridays between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. the programme is free and participants are supplied with all material and art supplies. Upon its completion of the programme, artwork will be exhibited at various City facilities.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that such Arts programmes are giving young people safe spaces to learn, express themselves and build confidence through creativity.
Higham stated that they have seen a great appetite in the past for these programmes, and they hope that this year will be no different. She encouraged learners and aspiring young artists to make the most of these platforms and she is looking forward to seeing their creations at the exhibitions stage.