Calling young Artists!
Are you the future Irma Stern or Ester Mahlangu?

The call for entries for the 13th NEA Young Artist Award Competition 2025 IS CLOSED

Overview

The  National Eisteddfod Young Artist Award Competition, launched in 2013, provides an opportunity for top achievers in the Creative and Visual Arts. It serves as a next-level competition for the future Ester Mahlangu and Irma Sterns of our South Africa.

All artworks will be adjudicated by a panel consisting of arts educators and artists from the arts industry.

How to Qualify for Entry 

Participants in the National Eisteddfod of SA

• All participants in the National Eisteddfod of South Africa that received Diploma Awards for Visual Arts may enter into this competition.
• All participants who received Diploma Awards for Visual Arts in the National Eisteddfod of South Africa during the previous year are eligible.
• Participants in the National Eisteddfod of South Africa can also register their entries online.
• Lower entry fee applies, including an “Early Bird entry fee” for entries submitted ONLINE on or before 1 MARCH 2025.

New Additional Entry Option

• Eligible participants can now submit additional artwork under the following conditions:

  • The additional artwork must belong to the same category as the qualifying artwork from 2024. (In other words: if you received a diploma award for a drawing, you may submit additional entries for drawing, or if you received a diploma award for a painting, you may also submit additional paintings for this competition.)
  • Additional entries cannot be submitted online. A hardcopy entry form must be completed and submitted with the artwork.
  • Participants must obtain permission from their art teacher to ensure the additional artwork meets the required standard.
  • The hardcopy entry fee applies for additional entries.

Participants in other visual arts festivals or events

• Young artists who received a Diploma or similar award in other Visual & Creative Arts competitions, festivals, or eisteddfods during 2024 may enter.
• Organizers of other eisteddfods and festivals can enter their top achievers under their organization’s name.
• Parents of participants in other competitions are also welcome to enter on their own.
• Institutions, studios, and schools that conduct internal visual arts competitions are invited to enter their top achievers.
• A copy of the diploma, certificate, or official report from 2024 must be attached to the entry.

Competition format for 2025

Participants are required to submit the same artwork that received a diploma award last year for this next level competition. (A new artwork is not required for this competition!)

Show Entry Fees page 

How do I submit my entry for the Young Artist Awards Competition 2025?

Last year’s recipients of Diploma Awards for Art in the National Eisteddfod of South Africa

The submission of visual art entries involves the following steps:

• Submission of your entry on the ONLINE entry platform or by e-mail on a HARD COPY entry form. 
• Last year’s participants in the National Eisteddfod of South Africa can submit entries online.  (A discounted entry fee applies to online entries.)
• Last year’s participants in the National Eisteddfod of South Africa can also submit entries in hard copy format. (Please note: a higher entry fee applies).
• Submission of entry fees / proof of payment BEFORE the  applicable closing date is required.
• Important: Kindly refer to the Rules and Regulations below for detailed information.
• Delivering / mailing the particular artwork to the NEA Office not later than 16:00 on 25 April 2025.

• Use the following link to submit your entry ONLINE. You will need your UNIQUE PARTICIPANT NUMBER as password to log in:

New Additional Entry Option for diploma recipients in the National Eisteddfod of South Africa

• Eligible participants can now submit additional artworks under the following conditions:

  • The additional artwork must belong to the same category as the qualifying artwork from 2024. (In other words: if you received a diploma award for a drawing, you may submit additional entries for drawing, or if you received a diploma award for a painting, you may also submit additional paintings for this competition.)
  • Additional entries cannot be submitted online. A hardcopy entry form must be completed and submitted with the artwork.
  • Participants must obtain permission from their art teacher to ensure the additional artwork meets the required standard.
  • The hardcopy entry fee applies for additional entries.

Click HERE to download Additional Art entry form as Pdf  Click HERE to download Additional Art entry form as MsWord 

Last year’s recipients of Diploma or similar Awards for Art in other festivals and competitions

The submission of visual art entries involves the following steps:

• Participants in other festival/events/internal competitions can submit entries in hard copy format only.
• Proof of achievement should be submitted with the entry / entries.
• Entry forms for participants in other festival/events/internal competitions can be downloaded from the website (see button below).
• Entry forms and entry fees should be submitted before the closing date for entries.
• The entry fees for “Other Festivals” apply.
• Important: Kindly refer to the Rules and Regulations below for detailed information.
• Delivering / mailing the particular artwork to the NEA Office not later than 16:00 on 25 April 2025.

How and where do I submit my Artwork?

All artwork should be submitted to the NEA Office, either by hand, courier or mail not later than 25 April 2025.

Rules and Regulations for the 13th Young Artist Award Competition

Show Rules and Regulations