Thanks for your interest in the Artist Alliance Incubation program. Please complete the application form and review our application criteria for more information on the selection process. Good luck!

What is the Artist Alliance Programme?

Artists Alliance is a movement to elevate emerging artists by providing them with the space and opportunity to turn their talent into marketable skills, profitable businesses, and sustainable careers.

How will applicants be selected for the Programme?

Applicants will be selected based on the work they have submitted.

We will select 1 student for each of the following categories:  Illustration, Graphic Design, Fine Art (Sculpture), Animation, Music Producing, videography.

In the selection process, the quality and collective presentation of your creative work, along with the motivation and demonstration of your entrepreneurial endeavours, will hold significant importance.

The selection process will be managed by V&A Waterfront’s Artist Alliance team, Creative Nestling, and our mentors. 

In assessing candidates for the visual arts industry, their selection will be based on various criteria. These include the distinctiveness of their work, the talent and skill displayed in their submitted pieces, their entrepreneurial endeavours, their alignment with the goal of transforming and providing opportunities to new voices in the industry, and the strength of their motivation statement or video.

These criterias will be communicated to the final judging panel to select the final 6 cohorts.

The judging panel will be made up by 2 industry specialists and participating mentors in the Artist Alliance programme as well as two Artist Alliance representatives and a representative from Creative Nestlings.

Judging Criteria:

When evaluating creatives, several factors come into play:

1. 1. Talent and Proficiency: Assessing the individual's skill level and expertise in their craft.
   2. Motivation/Drive: Evaluating the candidate's passion, ambition, and dedication to their creative pursuits.
   3. Demographic Profile (Target Groups): Considering the candidate's understanding of their target audience and their ability to appeal to specific demographic groups.
   4. Innovation in Craft & Vision: Recognizing the candidate's ability to push boundaries, think outside the box, and bring a fresh perspective to their creative work.
   5. Entrepreneurial Pursuits: Assessing the candidate's entrepreneurial mindset, their ability to create opportunities, and their business acumen in leveraging their creative talents.

Who can enter?

• Any person between the ages of 18 and 30 can apply
• You must be based in Cape Town
• You need to have an entrepreneurial spirit
• Actively pursuing a career or business in the creative industry, full-time or part-time field
• If you can help us achieve our goal of transformation, we are looking for you
• Persons must be available to attend a two-month incubation programme from 1 October to 30 November 2023

When can I enter?

Entries open on 1 June and will close on 31 July.

Other Important Dates:

Entries will be reviewed in the months of August and September and a cohort of 6 people will be selected by a panel of judges consisting of representatives from the Artist Alliance, Creative Nestlings and selected industry experts and publicly announced on 28 September.

The programme will start in the first week of October 2023 and run for two months until 30 November 2023.

How do I apply?

Selection for the Artist Alliance programme will focus on the quality and promise of your work and entrepreneurial journey.

You will need to submit the following when you apply:

1. Visuals highlighting your work (5 pieces of work).
2. Short motivation as to why you are best suited to benefit from the Artist Alliance Programme.
3. Include your ‘Artist Bio’.
4. How you have pursued your entrepreneurial journey.

Where do I apply?

1. You can apply directly on the V&A Waterfront website.
2. If you do not have access to an internet connection you can visit the V&A Hub, Merchant House, Dock Road between 12:00 and 14:00 on a Monday to Wednesday [AV4] during the month of July 2023.

FAQs