ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme
Nyoloha is Sesotho for “Rise!” Our mission at ACT is to enable youth to pursue excellence in their art and to create career-ready graduates.
The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme is an undergraduate scholarship aimed at providing opportunities for school leavers to pursue a tertiary qualification in the creative and performing arts. The programme brings together talented, ambitious young people from across South Africa and introduces them to the world of professional arts, offering them valuable experience and the chance to work with future artists from diverse backgrounds.
ACT Nyoloha Training Programme
The ACT Nyoloha Training Programme is a development-focused opportunity designed to increase employability through enhanced sector-related knowledge and skills. Priority is given to youth aged 17–25 who are not seeking a formal qualification in the performing/creative sector but are actively pursuing careers in these disciplines.
2024 ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme
- Programme Duration: Successful participants will join bi-weekly workshops from 8 June – 17 August 2024.
- Scholarship Finals Week: Held in Johannesburg, Gauteng, from 23 – 27 September 2024.
- Coverage: ACT will cover meals, travel, and accommodation costs for finalists during the finals week.
- Final Events: The programme’s exhibition event will take place on 26 September 2024, and the gala night, where scholarship winners will be announced, will be held on 28 September 2024.
- Scholarship Usage: Scholarships may only be used for Digital, Performing, or Visual Arts studies at a South African tertiary or ACT-accredited institution. Winners must choose from institutions listed on the ACT website.
General Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be between the ages of 17 and 25 years old.
- Be currently in Grade 12 OR have university exemption.
- Need financial assistance to pursue a qualification in performing or visual arts at a South African tertiary/accredited institution for studies commencing in 2025.
- Not be currently registered at a tertiary institution/accredited institution for the 2024 academic year.
- Not hold an existing tertiary qualification in an arts/creative discipline from a South African tertiary/accredited institution.
- Not be a professional artist (i.e., specialized training or full-time employment in their artistic discipline).
- Not be a participant or finalist in the 2023 ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme.
- Be willing and able to commit to the 6-month duration of the programme.
- Be a South African citizen.
Supporting Attachments
Applicants will need to attach the following to their application form:
- ID Copy (front & back)
- Previous semester/last academic results
- Signed consent form (downloadable here)
- Headshot
- Performing Arts: 1 x Video (2 minutes) showcasing your selected discipline (singing, dance, or acting).
- Singing: Prepare a song of your choice that best showcases your vocal range and technique.
- Dance: Prepare a dance/movement piece that best showcases your range and talent.
- Acting: Prepare a monologue from Addendum 2 to showcase your acting range and talent. Do not use your own material.
- Ensure good lighting, a plain background, landscape mode, minimal props, and no background noise.
- Digital/Visual Arts: 4 x Portfolio Pictures
- 1 x Portrait
- 1 x Landscape
- 2 x Original Artworks
- Include a short bio (70-100 words) and a short artist statement (70-100 words) detailing the reason for the creation of the artworks.
Apply now to seize this opportunity to rise and excel in the arts!