PORTRAIT: The National Portrait Prize
South Africa’s premier celebration of contemporary portraiture.
Every portrait tells a story. PORTRAIT: The National Portrait Prize showcases the very best of South Africa’s contemporary portraiture — diverse, thought-provoking, and world-class. Open to artists nationwide, the Prize is a platform for new voices and established talent alike.
Prize Highlights
R820,000 Distributed
Prize money and artist fees supporting participation at scale.
Painting to Digital
Painting, sculpture, photography, video and digital work.
200+ Artists
Broad-based participation across regions and career stages.
Under-12s Included
Children’s portrait prizes embedded in the main award.
R300,000
South Africa’s leading portrait award.
Paid Exhibiting Artists
Every exhibiting artist receives a R1,000 honorarium.
4-Week Public Exhibition
Free entry for audiences, schools, families and students.
Under-18s Supported
Dedicated youth prizes building early confidence and skills.
How It Works
Call for Entries
Open nationwide to all artists.
Judging
A panel of leading professionals selects finalists.
Exhibition
Finalists’ works shown in a major public exhibition.
Awards
Winners announced on Opening Night.
Sponsors & Partners
PORTRAIT is supported through a structured partnership model with clear tiers and transparent prize outcomes. Each sponsorship level supports a named prize or award category.
Presenting Partner
Title partner of PORTRAIT: The National Portrait Prize
Sponsors: Named title of the Prize
Major Partner
Supports national recognition of artistic excellence
Sponsors: Main Portrait Prize (named)
Platinum Sponsor
Supports the category prizes aligned to access and diverse practice
Sponsors: 1 Category Prize (named)
Gold Sponsor
Values-aligned visibility within a trusted national platform
Sponsors: 1 Supporting Prize (named)
Children’s Award Sponsor
Supports youth development and early cultural participation
Sponsors: 1 Children’s Portrait Prize (named)
Local Supporting Sponsor
Local businesses and cultural supporters
Sponsors: “Friends of the Prize” recognition
Supporters
South Africa ArtGuide supports PORTRAIT as a media partner, helping amplify artists and prize announcements across its platforms.
As a 51% Black woman-owned Level 2 B-BBEE Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME), partnership with the Prize contributes directly to your Preferential Procurement recognition on the B-BBEE scorecard.
