The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has opened the call for submissions for the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACAs), scheduled for 21 August 2026 at Sun City. The awards, themed “Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence,” honour achievement and innovation across South Africa’s cultural and creative sectors.
First introduced in 2024 as the Cultural and Creative Industry Awards, the NACAs recognise work in a range of disciplines, including:
- audio-visual
- interactive media
- performance
- literature
- film
- heritage
- design
- visual arts
- digital content
The call for entries opened on 19 June and will close on 17 July 2026. An online submission portal is available to receive entries. DSAC has also requested that stakeholders submit names of potential supporting adjudicators from their constituencies by 24 June 2026.
The department encouraged practitioners, organisations and collectives to participate, stating that broad involvement would help ensure the awards remain competitive and representative of the country’s diverse creative landscape. Industry networks and member organisations have been asked to circulate information about the awards.
For further details, interested parties may contact Edith Machavi at edithm@dsac.gov.za or on 082 809 8646.
