Department of Sport, Arts and Culture announces first NACA 2026 nominees across Heritage, Visual Arts and Craft
Museums, galleries, crafters, curators and visual artists recognised as phased nominee reveal gets underway
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has announced the first nominees for the 2026 National Arts and Culture Awards (NACA), with Heritage, Visual Arts and Craft opening a phased series of category announcements ahead of the Awards ceremony at Sun City Resort in the North West Province on Friday, 21 August 2026.
In the Heritage category, nominees have been selected for the Outstanding Museum Award, which recognises institutions that safeguard, interpret and share South Africa’s heritage with the public.
Outstanding Museum Award
- Karoo Origins
- KwaZulu-Natal Museum
- The Phansi Museum
The nominees reflect the diversity of South Africa’s museum sector, spanning natural and cultural heritage, regional history and community-based collections.
The first phase of the announcement also recognises excellence across four awards under Visual Arts and Craft, celebrating galleries, crafters, curators and visual artists contributing to South Africa’s contemporary creative landscape.
Outstanding Art Gallery Award
- Gallery MOMO
- The Dealr
- UNISA Art Gallery
Outstanding Crafter Award
- Madoda Fani – Southern Guild
- Sefakwana Portia Thenjwayo – Woven Lamp Shades
- Xolile Mabuza – Scotch Never Die
Outstanding Curator Award
- Bridget Phakathi – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAzania
- Sefakwana Portia Thenjwayo – Woven Lamp Shades
- Tshegofatso Seoka – Concrete Dreams: Journeys in Transit
Outstanding Visual Artist Award
- Gwenneth Miller – Omgekeerd
- Mellaney Roberts – Waar Bloed Nie Loop Nie
- Michael Selekane – Untitled
Winners across the categories will be announced at the NACA 2026 Awards ceremony.
Presented under the NACA 2026 theme “Celebrating Our Nation’s Creative Excellence,” the Awards recognise excellence across South Africa’s arts, culture and heritage sectors, while placing emphasis on three interconnected areas: talent, the business of the creative sector and nation building. This recognises not only artistic achievement, but also the contribution of the sector to livelihoods and enterprise, cultural preservation, social cohesion and South Africa’s national identity.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, said: “The National Arts and Culture Awards celebrate those who keep our stories alive and our heritage strong. As we mark 30 years of our Constitution, we are reminded that arts and culture are not a luxury. They are who we are, what brings us together, and what inspires the South Africa we want to build.”
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, added: “Culture is where our identity lives. These Awards shine a light on the artists, creatives and institutions whose work connects generations, strengthens our communities and keeps the spirit of South Africa alive.”
Nominees across the remaining NACA categories will be announced progressively over the coming days, giving the different disciplines represented by the Awards dedicated space for recognition. The complete approved list of NACA 2026 nominees will thereafter be available through the official NACA platforms.
The NACA 2026 will take place at Sun City on Friday, 21 August 2026, with the ceremony broadcast nationally on SABC 1 at 20:00 on Saturday, 22 August 2026.
