ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme

Nyoloha is Sesotho for Rise!

Our drive as 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 programme 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 the country and introduces them to the world of professional arts and gives the participants a valuable experience to work with other future artists from different backgrounds. The scholarship only covers higher education, which is limited to covering registration fees, tuition fees, and books or related study materials.

Read Application Guidelines Download Consent Form Download Monologues View Tertiary Institutions

2025 ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme

Successful programme participants will participate in bi-weekly workshops from 7 June – 16 August 2025.
Scholarships finals week will be held in Johannesburg, Gauteng, from 5 October – 11 October 2025.
ACT will cover finalists’ meals, travel and accommodation costs during the Finals Week.
The final programme Exhibition Event and Gala Night will take place on 9 & 11 October 2025 respectively. At the Gala Night, the scholarship winners’ announcements will take place.
Scholarships may only be utilised for Digital/Performing/Visual Arts studies at a South African tertiary or accredited institution.
The scholarship only covers higher education, which is limited to covering registration fees, tuition fees, and books or related study materials.
Winners are encouraged to select an institution from the institution list on the website.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

Individuals who are:

Between the ages of 17 – 25 years old.
Currently in Grade 12 OR have university exemption.
Need financial assistance to pursue a qualification in performing or visual arts as a South African tertiary/accredited institution, for studies commencing in 2026.
Not currently registered at a tertiary institution/accredited institution for the 2025 academic year.
Do not have an existing tertiary qualification in an arts/creative discipline from a South African tertiary/accredited institution.
Not considered a professional artist – (have specialized training/and or employed full time in their artistic discipline).
Not a 2024 ACT Nyoloha Scholarship Programme participant or finalist.
Willing and able to commit to the 6-month duration of the programme.
A South African citizen.

SUPPORTING ATTACHMENTS

Applicants will be asked to attach the following to their application form:

ID Copy (front & back)
Previous semester/last academic results
Signed consent form, which can be downloaded here.
Headshot
1 x Video (Performing Arts) OR 4 x Portfolio pictures (Visual Arts)

Performing Arts (Singing, Dance and Acting)

If applying for the performing arts discipline, please submit a 2 minute video performing in your selected discipline.

(a) Preparation for video submission (singing):

Prepare a song of your choice, in any genre, that best showcases your vocal range, technique and overall talent. You may use a backtrack or instruments as back-up.

(b) Preparation for video submission (dance):

Prepare a dance/movement piece of your choice, which best showcases your range and talent.

(c) Preparation for video submission (theatre/acting)

Prepare a monologue, from Addendum 2, which best showcases your acting range and talent. .
Please DO NOT use your own material.
Make sure to film in a room with good lighting and a plain background.
Ensure to use landscape/horizontal mode.
Avoid places with any background noise and do not do your audition in the bathroom or any place where the sound will echo.
No parents/legal guardian or teachers are allowed participation in the audition video.
Use minimal props for your audition video. You may use a table and chair, and musical instruments (for singing recordings) as part of your props.

Digital/Visual Arts

If applying for the digital/visual arts discipline, please submit the following:

(a) Four different and original pieces of work:

1x portrait
1x landscape
2x original artworks.

(b) The submission must also include:

A short bio of 70<100 words.
A short artist statement of 70<100 words, detailing reason of creation of artworks in the format and style.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship?

Individuals who are:
▪ Between 17 – 25 years old.
▪ Currently in Grade 12 OR have university exemption.
▪ Need financial assistance to pursue a qualification in performing or visual arts in South Africa.
▪ Not currently registered for 2025 studies.
▪ Do not have an existing arts qualification.
▪ Not a professional artist.
▪ Not a 2024 participant or finalist.
▪ Can commit to the 6-month programme.
▪ A South African citizen.

Can I apply for more than one arts discipline?

No, applicants should apply using the discipline that best showcases their talent.

Can I apply if I'm already studying at a tertiary institution?

No, priority is given to those intending to study for the first time in 2026.

Do I need to have tertiary acceptance upon application?

No, but you must have university exemption.

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

ID Copy (front & back), previous academic results, signed consent form, headshot, and either a video (Performing Arts) or portfolio pictures (Visual Arts).

What does the scholarship cover?

Covers registration fees, tuition fees, and study material up to R5,000 per year. It does not cover accommodation, transport, or living expenses.

Can I use the scholarship to study abroad?

No, it is only valid for South African institutions accredited by DHET.

How will the scholarship winners be selected?

Based on ratings from the training programme and final performance at the Exhibition or Gala Night.

Can I apply for other scholarships in addition to this one?

Yes, for expenses not covered by the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship.

Who can I contact for more information?

Refer to the Application Guidelines on the ACT website, call 010 023 0899, or email info@act.org.za.