The Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition, South Africa’s longest-running art competition, is delighted to open its call for entries for the 2026 edition, marking 64 years of discovering, nurturing and elevating emerging artistic talent across the country.

A long-standing and influential part of South Africa’s cultural landscape, Sasol New Signatures continues to provide a powerful platform for emerging visual artists at the start of their careers, offering not only recognition, but also meaningful opportunities for growth, mentorship and national exposure.

The overall winner will receive R100 000, the runner-up R25 000, and five merit award winners R10 000 each. In addition, the winner is awarded the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum in 2027.  This a defining milestone that enables the artist to fully realise and present a body of work in a professional museum setting.

Each year, approximately 100 finalists are selected to exhibit at the Pretoria Art Museum, with their work documented in competition’s printed catalogue, cementing their place within the evolving narrative of South African contemporary art.

For over six decades, Sasol New Signatures, alongside the Association of Art Pretoria, has been instrumental in shaping the future of South African art. It is a platform that not only recognises excellence but also actively supports artistic growth, offering emerging artists the tools, exposure and confidence to take the next step in their creative careers. Artists are encouraged to enter and seize this opportunity to become the next ‘New Signature’ in South African art. 

Sasol New Signatures offers emerging artists a powerful platform to grow their careers and gain national recognition. Many past finalists and winners have used the competition as a breakthrough moment, going on to build successful artistic careers. Finalists benefit from valuable exposure to curators, collectors, galleries and the broader art community. Being selected as a finalist to exhibit at the Pretoria Art Museum adds meaningful credibility to an artist’s portfolio and CV.

Sasol New Signatures is open to South African artists over the age of 18 who have not yet held a solo exhibition, with eight regional collection points across the country ensuring broad access and the opportunity for artists from across South Africa  to enter the competition with up two artworks each across multiple artistic mediums – painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video and installations.  Artists who are represented by established galleries or agents, or who are employed as full-time lecturers in visual art or design, are not eligible to enter.

Chairperson Pfunzo Sidogi and Sasol Art Curator Cate Terblanche will lead the educational initiative, helping to simplify the entry process and guide artists in meeting both the technical and conceptual requirements of the competition in the form of online information videos and downloadable fact sheets.

Artists must submit their entries in person at one of the following collection points around South Africa on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 June 2026 between 10h00 to 16h00.

Collection points

Bloemfontein
Oliewenhuis Art Museum, 16 Harry Smith Street, Bloemfontein
Tel:  051 447 9609
Email:  oliewen@nasmus.co.za

Cape Town
Art B Gallery, Library Centre, Carl van Aswegen Street, Bellville, Cape Town
Tel:  021 917 1197
Email :  artb@artb.co.za

Durban
KZNSA Gallery, 166 Bulwer Road, Glenwood, Durban
Tel:  031 277 1705
Email:  gallery@kznsagallery.co.za

Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth):
NMU Bird Street Gallery - Nelson Mandela University, Bird Street Campus, 20 Bird Street, Central, Gqeberha
Tel:  041 504 3293 / 041 504 3254
Email:  jonathan.vanderwalt@mandela.ac.za

Johannesburg          
Sasol Place, 50 Katherine Street, Wierda Valley, Sandton
Tel:  010 344 5000 (Sasol Place Main Reception)  
Email:  art@sasol.com

Polokwane
The Polokwane Art Museum, Library Gardens, corner Grobler & Hans van Rensburg Street, Polokwane
Tel:  015 290 2579/8
Email:  AmosL@polokwane.gov.za
           
Potchefstroom
North-West University Potchefstroom Campus, Botanical Gardens gallery, gate entrance on the corner of Steve Biko Avenue and Gerrit Dekker Street, Potchefstroom
Cell: Venessa van der Westhuizen 071 331 7029; Sheryl Msomi 072 804 3392
Email:  potchkuns@gmail.com

Pretoria
Pretoria Art Museum, corner Francis Baard and Wessels Streets, Arcadia Park, Pretoria
Tel:  012 358 6750
Email:  artspta@mweb.co.za or artmuseum@tshwane.gov.za

The 2026 Sasol New Signatures exhibition, showcasing the work of the finalists, will be held at the Pretoria Art Museum from Thursday 10 September to Sunday 8 November 2026.

For more information visit www.sasolsignatures.co.za or contact Nandi Hilliard from the Association of Arts Pretoria on 012 346 3100 / 083 288 5117 or artspta@mweb.co.za
 
Video:  Click Here

Entry Form:  Click Here