ACT × UJ Empower the Next Generation of Curators
Spotlighting Emerging Curators Through the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is thrilled to announce that Nkanyezi Maseko has been selected as the shadowing curator for the 2025 ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme Finals Exhibition, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Art Gallery and the MTN x UJ Future Curators Programme.
This collaboration connects two vital platforms, nurturing high school learners through early curatorial exposure and supporting young artists at tertiary level to build a continuum of opportunity for the next generation of South African creatives. From 6–9 October, Nkanyezi will work alongside curator Zanele Mashumi for the installation of the Finals Exhibition at the MTN Head Office, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the professional art world.
Jessica Denyschen, CEO of ACT, said: “This is exactly what inspires us at ACT, taking bold chances, investing in our youth, and creating opportunities that break barriers and sparking crwativity. We cannot wait to see how Nkanyezi will bring fresh energy and vision to this exhibition.”
Dr. Dineke Orton, Curator of the UJ Art Gallery, added: “We are delighted to partner with ACT in creating meaningful opportunities for young creatives and curators to engage with the art world and build professional careers. Collaboration is the key to unlocking even greater possibilities.”
The ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme, supported by Nedbank, Sun International, MTN Foundation and BASA, culminates in the Finals Exhibition on 9 October 2025, where one visual arts finalist and one performing arts finalist will each be awarded scholarships valued at R300,000.
ENDS
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About the Arts & Culture Trust – 31 years of supporting arts in South Africa
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is South Africa’s premier independent development and art investment organisation. The primary aim of ACT is to increase the capacity for arts and culture initiatives to create sustainable futures through development and investment in innovative, sustainable projects that make a meaningful contribution to society. Through structured development programmes, ACT provides support to all expressions of arts and culture, including literature, music, visual art, theatre, and dance. This support extends to festivals, community arts initiatives, arts management, arts education, and arts administration. Over the past 31 years ACT has supported more than 830 arts, culture, and heritage development projects countrywide, including small businesses.
For more information, please visit the ACT website, follow them on X, or like their Facebook page.
About UJ Arts & Culture
UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA), produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes aligned to the UJ vision of an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. A robust range of arts platforms are offered on all four UJ campuses for students, staff, alumni and the general public to experience and engage with emerging and established Pan-African and international artists drawn from the full spectrum of the arts.
In addition to UJ Arts & Culture, FADA (www.uj.ac.za/fada) offers programmes in eight creative disciplines, in Art, Design and Architecture, as well as playing home to the NRF SARChI Chair in South African Art & Visual Culture, and the Visual Identities in Art & Design Research Centre. The faculty has a strong focus on sustainability and relevance, and engages actively with the dynamism, creativity and diversity of Johannesburg in imagining new approaches to art and design education.