National Arts and Culture Awards

National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA)

Background

Established in 2026. The National Arts and Culture Awards, also referred to as the NACA, are to be most desired recognition and cultural phenomenon in the South African creative industry, bestowed to SA’s top and leading creatives in the various creative sector categories and subdomains, creatives that exhibit outstanding artistic and technical achievement.

These are creatives from across cultural domains that push the boundaries of their creative ability and show devotion to excellence with uncompromising quality, groundbreaking creativity and relentless innovation that defines those that are outstanding from the best.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture intends to confer on them annually in appreciation of outstanding contributions to the creative sector as judged by the National Arts and Culture Awards adjudication and judging panel.

Vision

• To be the most desired award brand across all entertainment platforms in South Africa, on a mission to recognize and honour the best and most talented creatives amongst us.

• To make a difference in the lives of our artists, audiences, and sponsor partners; using our event platforms to deliver the most spectacular and memorable experiences each year for the Arts.

• To have a purpose that people can resonate with, becoming a brand that is aspirational, fulfilling the role with more substance, elevating the brand stature through meaningful engagements.

Categories

The Heritage Site Category (x3 Awards)

1.Oustanding Museum Awards: Awarded to a South African museum rendering outstanding service to society, local and national community through researching, conserving, and exhibiting tangible and intangible heritage and making this accessible and inclusive to a diverse audience.

2.Outstanding Archaeological & Historical site Awards: Awarded to a South African archaeological and historical site that excels in the preservation of evidence of past/ancient cultural activity and its contribution to research and the interpretation of tangible and intangible heritage.

3.Outstanding Cultural Landscape Awards: Awarded to a South African cultural landscape, space or area that reflects and represents cultural identity excellently and significantly contributes to our current understanding and use of spaces of culture in South.

The Visual Arts & Craft Category (x4 Awards)

1.Outstanding Visual Artist Awards: Awarded to a South African contemporary visual artist of substantial standing, has held at least 5 annual exhibitions or has been part thereof, has national and/or international recognition, whose work showcases excellent technical experimentation, craftsmanship, pushes boundaries, has aspects of new media technology and conceptual accomplishment significant to the South African context. For outstanding achievement in the overall aspects of a visual artists, this may include photography, painting, sculpture, printmaking, murals, graphic art, film and ceramics. The work should reflect a level of artistic achievement that is both distinguished and meaningful within the South African context.

2.Outstanding Curator Awards: Awarded to South African influential curators who have made the best attempt to reflect the state of the country/world, to pre-empt new directions in the art sector, to give a voice to a diverse scope of artists, and to play a part in critically addressing the social and political realities of South Africa and the wider world, and contributes meaningfully to cultural dialogue. The exhibition should have anticipated emerging directions within the art sector, amplified a diverse range of artistic voices and perspectives, and challenged audiences to think more deeply about the issues, ideas, and conditions defining our time.

3.Outstanding Crafter: Awarded to a South African craft artist who has Awards consistently produced and exhibited outstanding craft object d’art, whether traditional, contemporary, or a blend of both. The recipient demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship, technical expertise, creativity, and mastery of materials and techniques, creating works that are both visually compelling and functional. Eligible candidates must have a sustained exhibition record, having held or participated in at least five annual exhibitions. The award also recognises national and/or international achievements and acknowledges significant contributions to advancing, promoting, and elevating South African craft. Categories of craft include pottery, beadwork, woodwork, basket weaving, wood carving, sculpting with clay, glass blowing, and stained glass. wood, etc.), product type (home ware, giftware, Jewellery accessories etc.), technique (beading, weaving, carving,) design style (traditional, contemporary, experimental etc.) or production type.

4.Outstanding Art Gallery Awards: Awarded to a South African art gallery that has consistently delivered impactful exhibitions, maintained a strong and focused curatorial vision, and made a significant contribution to the career development of artists. The gallery’s influence should extend beyond South Africa, demonstrating meaningful global reach and recognition. Applicants must provide clear evidence of these achievements, including but not limited to: critical press reviews, collector acquisitions, curatorial collaborations, participation in art fairs, market success,

The Literary Works Category (x4 Awards)

1. Outstanding Children’s Fiction Book Award: Awarded to South African Children’s fiction book that is creative and imaginative and must be written and published by a South African author or publisher. It can be presented in any of the 11 South African languages.

2. Outstanding Book, Fiction Award: This is awarded to any book that is Fiction (Poetry, or Young People’s Literature are eligible) and must be written and published by a South African author or publisher. It can be presented in any of the 11 South African languages.

3. Outstanding Book, Non-Fiction Award: This is awarded to any book that is Nonfiction (Poetry, or Young People’s Literature are eligible) and must be written and published by a South African author or publisher. It can be presented in any of the 11 South African languages.

4. Outstanding Publisher Award: This is to any independent publishers, traditional publishers, university presses, self-publishers and independent authors throughout South Africa, as well as authors who publish books in all 11 South African languages.

The Audio Visual & Interactive Media Category (x6 Awards)

1. Outstanding Film Fiction Awards: Awarded to the South African producer(s) for outstanding achievement in the overall realization, production, and success of a full-length film or short film with a running time of a minimum of 60 minutes (full - length) and or a duration of no more than 40 minutes (Short-length) across fiction- nonfiction and animation.

2. Outstanding Documentary Film/TV series Awards: This is awarded to a South African documentary film or TV series that demonstrates exceptional storytelling, research and impact.

3. Outstanding TV Drama Awards: Awarded to the South African producer(s) for outstanding achievement in the overall realization, production, and success of a serialized drama programme, episodic and daily show and a scripted programme aimed at light entertainment. Includes: Mini- Series, Full Length drama series, Soaps, Telenovela’s and Comedy

4. Outstanding Actor-TV & Film Awards: Awarded to a South African actor (Male/Female) in television or film, who delivers an exceptional performance that captivates, moves and resonates with the audience.

5. Outstanding Animation Awards: Awarded to a South African director and / or producer(s) for outstanding achievement in the realization, production and overall success of an animated film, or programme including traditional 2D, 3D, clay animation, or any other form of animation, done shooting frame by frame, created entirely in the digital domain on computer, or a combination of techniques to create an animated character and/or performance.

6. Outstanding Gaming Awards: Awarded to a South African electronic game or interactive entertainment software that is played on various gaming platforms, including consoles (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox), personal computers (PC), mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), and other gaming devices.

The Design & Creative Services (x4 Awards)

1. Outstanding Fashion & Textile designer Awards: This is awarded to South African Fashion Designs that are original, innovative, aesthetic as well as functional and ergonomic. They take their aesthetic roots from African design, yet compete equally on international stages.

2. Outstanding Graphic & Multimedia designer Awards: This is awarded to South African graphic designers who have made a recognizable contribution to South African graphic design through exemplary work, service to the country and communities, and/or the enablement of young up-and-coming designers entering the industry.

3. Outstanding Product Awards: This is awarded to South African member of a creative team for the most effective creation of a physical atmosphere and visual look that conveys the story and its characters. This includes set design, choice of location, props, textures, and colors. Production designers and Art Directors will be considered within this category.

4. Outstanding Architecture and Interior designer Awards: This is awarded to South African architect/architects firm/architects studio with exceptional interior design, who has made a recognizable contribution to the South African built environment through exemplary work, service to the country, communities they live and work in, environmental rehabilitation, and sustainable architectural solutions. The Award further recognizes originality, innovation, and architectural solutions that are best in its class.

The Performing Arts Category (x6 Awards)

1. Outstanding Theatre Production Awards: Awarded to South African “Best production of a play”. For outstanding achievement in the overall aspects of the production.

2. Outstanding Dance Production Awards: Awarded to South African “Best Production: Traditional African Dance, Contemporary Dance, Ballet and IsiPantsula etc. For outstanding achievement in the overall aspects of a dance productions, this may include traditional dance production e.g. indlamu, contemporary dance, isiPantsula, ballet etc.) key elements of the production must include storytelling through dance/ensemble with a clearly articulated choreography.

3. Outstanding Musician Awards: Awarded to South African “Best Solo Musician”. For outstanding achievement as a solo performer. With a body of work that includes an officially released single or album. The single or album must be available for purchase (Online or Registered music outlets). Must be registered with legislated South African Music Rights Organisations.

4. Outstanding Actor in Theatre Awards: Awarded to South African “Best leading actor in a play (Male or Female) for outstanding achievement as an actor in a theatre play portraying a leading role on the opening night.

5. Outstanding Performance Awards- Poet: Awarded to South African “Best performance in a Solo or an ensemble poetry show. For outstanding achievement in the overall presentation of the poetry show. The content must be authentic and original and should not be a presentation of somebody else work.

6. Outstanding Performance Awards- Comedy: Awarded to South African Best performance in a solo stand-up Comedy show for outstanding achievement in the overall presentation of the stand-up comedy show. The content must be authentic and original and should not be a presentation of somebody else work. To be considered the solo performer present a duration of one hour or more.

Sources

https://naca.dsac.gov.za

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