What is seen, what is hidden, and what is revealed when you take a moment to reflect? What will your artwork reveal about the world or yourself?
Reflections offer a powerful way to explore duality, introspection, and the interplay between light and shadow. The theme "Reflections" invites you to delve into the literal and metaphorical meanings of the word—whether capturing mirrored surfaces, contemplating personal experiences, or examining how the world around us shapes our inner selves.
We invite you to enter the Stellenbosch Academy Visual Art Competition, and show South Africa what you’ve got.
Now is your time to shine.
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The overall winner will receive:
• A cash prize of R25,000
• Full Tuition Sponsorship for the Higher Certificate in Drawing NQF5 programme at the Stellenbosch Academy
• Apple iPad 9 256Gb and Apple Pencil (USB-C)
• R2500 Deckle Edge store voucher
WHAT YOU’LL WIN*…
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The 2nd prize winner will receive:
• A cash prize of R10,000
• Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) with Lightning Charging Case
• R1500 Deckle Edge store voucher
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The 3rd prize winner will receive:
• A cash prize of R5000
• R1000 Deckle Edge store voucher
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School Prize:
The school that submits the most entries will receive R5000 in PNA vouchers for art materials.
*terms and conditions apply
COMPETITION DETAILS
COMPETITION DETAILS
ENTRIES CLOSE
29 August 2025 at 17h00
due to high amount of interest the deadline has been extended!
WHAT YOU NEED TO ENTER
A photograph of the artwork you would like to submit
Your artist statement (around 250 words)
An entry fee of R100 and proof of payment
A copy of your ID (or passport/driver’s license)
EXISTING WORKS ARE WELCOME!
We have deliberately chosen a theme that is open to any interpretation. This is to invite your own reflection on the world rather than confining you to a particular topic or theme. This is also to minimize barriers to entry in the competition as we encourage you to submit successful artworks that you have already created in the past. You thus do not need to produce new artworks for this competition and you can submit any artworks produced within the last two years.
AS A PARTICIPANT YOU WILL RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR APPLICATIONS FEES TO THE STELLENBOSCH ACADEMY OF DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY
✺ RULES & REGULATIONS ✺
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The competition is open to all current Grade 10 to 12 students who are permanently resident in South Africa. You may submit works produced any time within the last two years – as long as these works were produced while you were between grade 10 and 12.
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Entries should be submitted online at the SAVAC submission link from 09:00 on 1 May 2025 to 17:00 on 29 August 2025.
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Works may not be smaller than A3 (29.7 cm x 42 cm) and may not be larger than 100cm wide x 150cm height.
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You can submit more than one artwork. Please note that it’s R100 per entry
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The work must be two-dimensional, such as a drawing or painting. No sculptures, photographs or AI and digital artworks will be allowed.
Two-dimensional artworks in any medium are welcome, and do not necessarily need to be traditional drawing or painting mediums.
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A submitted artwork must have been created by the entrant themselves and must be their own original work. Works may be created in any mediums but may not be produced digitally or using AI.
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Work previously submitted for other competitions or exhibitions may be entered. Should you be chosen as a finalist your work must be available for exhibition.
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Upload the following items with your digital entry form (below):
A photograph of the artwork you would like to submit
Your artist statement (around 250 words)
An entry fee of R100 and proof of payment
A copy of your ID (or passport/driver’s license)
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In the first round, judges will review the digital entries and select the top works. Chosen artists will be notified via phone or email.
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If your work has been selected during the First Round, you will need to arrange the delivery of your artwork at your own cost to arrive at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography. You can hand-deliver your work to the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography in person or send your artwork with a courier of your choice. These dates will be confirmed at a later time
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After the exhibition closes you will be responsible for collecting your artworks at your own cost from the Stellenbosch Academy of Design.
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More information and updates will be made available on our website and social media.
any queries can be directed to SAVAC@stellenboschacademy.co.za
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Our judges will be evaluating your work on two main criteria:
Technical Artistic Ability: Successful use of the elements of art, design principles to create successful artworks
Conceptual Strength: An artist’s statement of 250 words describing the meaning, message and intended impact of your work
BANKING DETAILS
ACCOUNT NAME: Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography Pty Ltd
BANK NAME AND BRANCH: ABSA Stellenbosch
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 4055051024
BRANCH CODE: 632005
REFERENCE: SAVAC, Initials & Surname (eg: SAVAC B FASSLER)
SUBMIT YOUR WORK HERE
SUBMIT YOUR WORK HERE
TOP SELECTION
The top selection will be invited to participate in an exhibition at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography in the Western Cape and attend an exhibition opening and prize ceremony in October 2025. Final exhibition dates will be communicated via the website.
The top selection of works will also be published in the 2025 Stellenbosch Academy Visual Arts Competition Catalogue.
✺ TERMS & CONDITIONS ✺
Prize Terms & Conditions – Tuition Sponsorship
Prize Description
The prize consists of a tuition sponsorship for the approved academic programme, Higher Certificate in Drawing NQF5 at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography, the details of which will be communicated directly to the winner.Non-Transferability
The tuition sponsorship is non-transferable and may only be used by the prize recipient as named at the time of award. It may not be assigned, sold, gifted, or otherwise transferred to any other individual or entity.No Cash Alternative
The prize holds no cash value and may not be exchanged, redeemed, or refunded for cash or any other monetary equivalent, in whole or in part.Redemption and Usage Period
The tuition sponsorship must be claimed and utilised within the recipient’s first year after matriculating from high school, commencing from the date of notification. Failure to redeem and use the sponsorship within this period will result in forfeiture of the prize, with no compensation or substitute benefit provided.Excluded Costs
The tuition sponsorship covers tuition fees only. It does not include any additional expenses such as, but not limited to:Art kits or course materials
Accommodation or travel costs
Personal or living expenses
Administrative or registration fees not directly related to tuition
Eligibility and Compliance
The winner must meet the eligibility criteria for the academic programme and adhere to all related Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography institutional application requirements and policies. The Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography reserves the right to withdraw the prize if the recipient is found to be ineligible or in breach of any terms.
