Key facts
- Status
- Applications closed Closed 11 July 2025
- Provider
- National Arts Council
- Field of study
- Arts, Music
- Study level
- Undergraduate, Postgraduate
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
The NAC issues separate calls for each bursary and the dates change from year to year.
VerifiedNo open round · the last round we could find closed on 11 July 2025 Watch the NAC's funding news page from November 2026. Latest update ↓
The National Arts Council (NAC) is the statutory funding agency for the arts under the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. Alongside its grants to organisations and projects, it runs two bursary programmes: a local bursary for arts study at South African institutions, and an international bursary for South Africans accepted at accredited institutions abroad.
About the National Arts Council bursaries
- Local bursary: for undergraduate and postgraduate study at South African institutions in theatre, dance, craft, literature, music, visual arts, multidiscipline arts, cultural policy and arts and culture management, including BTech degrees in the arts. Postgraduates apply individually, full-time or part-time; institutions may apply for block undergraduate bursaries.
- International bursary: up to R250 000 a year, renewable for the duration of the course, for undergraduate or postgraduate arts study at an accredited institution outside South Africa.
NAC Bursary eligibility requirements
- South African citizen.
- Registered, or accepted, for a qualification in one of the listed arts fields.
- An overall average of at least 65%.
- Artistic merit and financial need, assessed together with the credibility of the qualification and institution.
- Preference for previously disadvantaged applicants.
How to apply for the NAC Bursary
- Register on the NAC grants portal at nac.praxisgms.co.za when the call opens and read the funding guidelines.
- Complete the online form and upload: a certified ID not older than 12 months; a CV; the course structure and content; a fee breakdown from the institution; proof of acceptance or registration on letterhead; academic transcripts and certified certificates; evidence of other funding if any; two signed industry reference letters; a motivation letter; proof of household or personal income; and a stamped bank statement not older than six months.
- Submit before the closing time. Outcomes are published about six to eight weeks after the call closes.
NAC Bursary closing dates
Local bursary: last call closed 6 January 2023; the next call is expected in late 2026. International bursary: 2025 call closed 11 July 2025 and the 2026 call on 31 March. The 2027 dates have not been published.
Contact details
- Telephone: 087 700 0683 or 011 010 8850; WhatsApp 060 791 5555
- Email: info@nac.org.za
- Address: 66 Margaret Mcingana Street, Market Theatre Precinct, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2113
- Website: www.nac.org.za
Arts students should also see our arts bursaries section and the KZN Film Commission bursary.
FAQs
1. Which NAC bursaries are there? +
Two: a local bursary for undergraduate and postgraduate arts study in South Africa, and an international bursary of up to R250 000 a year for South Africans studying arts at accredited institutions abroad.
2. When do they close? +
The dates change each year. The last local call closed on 6 January 2023, and the 2025 international call closed on 11 July 2025, with the 2026 international call closing on 31 March. Watch the NAC's funding news page for the 2027 calls; the local bursary is usually advertised in November or December.
3. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens studying or accepted for a qualification in theatre, dance, craft, literature, music, visual arts, multidiscipline arts, cultural policy or arts management, with an average of at least 65%. Preference goes to previously disadvantaged applicants. Institutions may also apply for block undergraduate bursaries.
4. How do I apply? +
Online through the NAC grants portal at nac.praxisgms.co.za, uploading a certified ID, CV, course structure, fee breakdown, proof of acceptance on letterhead, transcripts, two industry references, a motivation letter and proof of household income.
5. What is the NAC? +
The National Arts Council of South Africa, the statutory agency under the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that funds arts organisations, projects and study.
6. Who do I contact? +
087 700 0683 or 011 010 8850, WhatsApp 060 791 5555, or info@nac.org.za.
Update note (checked September 2026): the NAC issues separate calls for each bursary and the dates change from year to year. The last local bursary call closed on 6 January 2023; the 2025 international call closed on 11 July 2025 and the 2026 international call on 31 March. No 2027 call had been published when we checked. Watch the NAC’s funding news page from November 2026. The details below are from the last published calls.
This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.
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