Comprehensive Guide to Music Visual and Performing Arts Bursaries in South Africa
Comprehensive Guide to Music, Visual, and Performing Arts Bursaries in South Africa
Comprehensive Guide to Music, Visual, and Performing Arts Bursaries in South Africa for 2025
Comprehensive Guide to Music, Visual, and Performing Arts Bursaries in South Africa | Are you passionate about pursuing a career in the arts? Whether your dream is in music, visual arts, or performing arts, your path to success is shaped by your dedication, creativity, and ambition. The arts sector offers a wide range of opportunities, from being a “starving artist” to achieving global recognition. If you love what you do, success is sure to follow.
For those aiming to turn their passion into a profession, securing a bursary can be a significant step. Below, we outline the various bursaries available in South Africa for 2025, tailored to different artistic disciplines.
Why Pursue a Career in the Arts?
The arts are more than just a profession; they are a way of life. Whether you are drawn to the visual arts (painting, photography, design) or the performing arts (dance, drama, singing), your passion is the key to your success. However, while creativity is innate, refining your skills through education is essential. Tertiary education not only enhances your talents but also opens doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain closed.
To qualify for most arts bursaries, you’ll typically need to demonstrate your artistic skills—whether through a portfolio for visual arts or a performance for the performing arts—and meet certain academic criteria. Below is a comprehensive list of bursaries available for 2025, categorized by field of study.
Dance Bursaries for 2025
Dance is both an art form and a form of expression. It involves the rhythmic movement of the body to convey ideas, emotions, and energy. Dance plays a significant role in cultural and social contexts, offering numerous employment opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Qualifications: To become a professional dancer, consider obtaining a degree in Performing Arts or completing an Associate Dance Teacher’s degree in your preferred style. Career opportunities include choreographer, dance teacher, and more.
- Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary
- Arts And Culture Trust (ACT) Scholarship
- Bridgestone Bursary
- Canon Collins Tom Queba Scholarship
- FAME Academy SA Bursaries
- National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) Bursaries
- NYDA Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund
Drama And Theatre Bursaries for 2025
Drama and theatre are essential to the performing arts, providing entertainment and fostering social discussion. While drama focuses on the script, theatre encompasses the entire production, including lighting, sound, and staging.
Qualifications: Pursuing a Bachelor of Performing Arts or a Bachelor in Theatre and Performance can lead to careers such as director, performer, or stage manager.
Available Bursaries:
- Absa Fellowship/ Scholarship Programme
- Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary
- Arts And Culture Trust (ACT) Scholarship
- Bridgestone Bursary
- Canon Collins Thekgo Bursary
- FAME Academy SA Bursaries
- National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) Bursaries
- Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Bursary
Fashion And Textile Bursaries for 2025
Fashion and textiles are not only about creating clothing but also about designing textiles that enhance interiors. This sector is vital to the global economy, providing employment and allowing designers to tell stories through their creations.
Qualifications: Options include a Bachelor of Technology in Fashion, a Bachelor of Science in Textile Science, or a Diploma in Clothing Management. Career paths include fashion designer, textile designer, and color technologist.
Available Bursaries:
- Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary
- Bridgestone Bursary
- Canon Collins Tom Queba Scholarship
- Cape Wools SA Bursary Fund
- Department of Correctional Services Bursary
- FEDISA Fashion School Bursary
- Gert-Johan Coetzee Bursary
- KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Bursary
- NYDA Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund
- The Foschini Group Bursary
- Truworths Bursary
- WAndRSETA Bursary
Film And Motion Picture Bursaries for 2025
Film and motion pictures are powerful storytelling mediums that evoke emotions and reflect society. This industry requires a wide range of skills, from directing to sound engineering.
Qualifications: Consider a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Motion Pictures or a Diploma in Film Production. Careers in this field include director, producer, and cinematographer.
Available Bursaries:
- Absa Fellowship/ Scholarship Programme
- Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary
- Bridgestone Bursary
- Canon Collins Thekgo Bursary
- Canon Collins Tom Queba Scholarship
- Film School Africa (FSA) Bursary
- Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) Bursary
- KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission Bursary
- KwaZulu-Natal Government Bursaries
- KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Bursary
- Mpumalanga Provincial Government Bursary
- Netflix Scholarship
- NFVF Bursary
- NFVF International Bursary
- North West Provincial Government Bursaries
- NYDA Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund
Fine Art And Visual Art Bursaries for 2025
Fine arts encompass a wide range of creative expressions, from painting to digital photography. These arts help society by promoting critical thinking, creativity, and cultural awareness.
Qualifications: Options include a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Art or a Master’s in Fine Art. Careers include professional artist, curator, and art teacher.
Available Bursaries:
- Absa Fellowship/ Scholarship Programme
- Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary
- Arts And Culture Trust (ACT) Scholarship
- Bridgestone Bursary
- Canon Collins Thekgo Bursary
- Canon Collins Tom Queba Scholarship
- Dudley D’Ewes Scholarship
- Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation Bursary
- National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) Bursaries
- NRF Scholarship at UJ
- NYDA Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund
- SARB Art Scholarship
- The Lockdown Collection (TLC) Bursary
Jewellery Design Bursaries for 2025
Jewellery design is an ancient art form that continues to hold cultural significance today. Jewellery designers work with precious metals and gemstones to create wearable art.
Qualifications: You can pursue a National Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing or a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts with a focus on Jewellery Design. Career opportunities include jewellery designer, craft artist, and metalworker.
Available Bursaries:
- Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary
- Bridgestone Bursary
- Canon Collins Tom Queba Scholarship
- KwaZulu-Natal Government Bursaries
- KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Bursary
- Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) Bursary
- NYDA Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund
Performing Art Bursaries for 2025
Performing arts, including music, drama, and dance, are essential for cultural expression and communication. These art forms help convey messages and emotions to audiences, fostering understanding and self-knowledge.
Qualifications: A Bachelor of Arts in your chosen field is typically required, with additional qualifications needed for teaching. Career options include musician, actor, dancer, and public speaker.
Available Bursaries:
- Absa Fellowship/ Scholarship Programme
- Access Trust Bursary
- Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary
- Bridgestone Bursary
- Canon Collins Thekgo Bursary
- Canon Collins Tom Queba Scholarship
- Dudley D’Ewes Scholarship
- FAME Academy SA Bursaries
- Fine Music Radio (FMR) Bursary
- Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation Bursary
- NESP Scholarship
- NYDA Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund
Music Bursaries for 2025
Music is a universal art form that impacts our emotions and well-being. Musicians create, perform, and produce music in a variety of styles, playing a crucial role in cultural and personal expression.
Qualifications: You can pursue a Bachelor’s of Music, a Diploma in Sound Engineering, or other music-related qualifications. Careers include music producer, sound engineer, and music therapist.
Available Bursaries:
- Arts And Culture Trust (ACT) Scholarship
- Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary
- Boston Media House and YFM Scholarship
- Bridgestone Bursary
- Canon Collins Thekgo Bursary
- Canon Collins Tom Queba Scholarship
- FAME Academy SA Bursaries
- Fine Music Radio (FMR) Bursary
- Goethe Talents Scholarship
- National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) Bursaries
- NESP Scholarship
- NYDA Solomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fund
- Revolution Media Academy Bursary
- SAMRO Bursary
- SASMT Bursaries
- SASMT Teacher Bursary
This comprehensive guide to arts bursaries in South Africa for 2025 is designed to help you find the funding you need to pursue your passion. Explore these opportunities, apply early, and take the first step toward your future in the arts.
