The RMB Talent Unlocked 2026 program is accepting applications from visual artists in South Africa aged between 18 and 35, residing in the Gauteng or KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Applications are due by August 24.
The RMB Talent Unlocked 2026 program is accepting applications from visual artists in South Africa aged between 18 and 35, residing in the Gauteng or KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Applications are due by August 24.
RMB and the FirstRand Foundation have jointly launched this immersive professional development course designed to help emerging South African artists strengthen their creative skills and business competencies. The program is implemented in partnership with Artist Proof Studio, the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts, and Bag Factory. The core idea of the program is that talent alone does not guarantee a career; mentorship, studio access, and industry representation are necessary.
The invitation is addressed to practicing visual artists aged 18 to 35 who are South African citizens and are based in Gauteng or KwaZulu-Natal. Artists must work in disciplines such as painting, drawing, printmaking, and/or photography.
There are additional requirements for participation: applicants must demonstrate a consistent body of work as a practicing artist, possess a minimum qualification of NQF 4 (or equivalent to Grade 12). Furthermore, the candidate must not currently be represented by a gallery that has previously held a solo exhibition for them. It is crucial to confirm availability to have no commitments to other galleries or exhibitions between August and November 2026, and to ensure full availability for all planned skill development and mentorship sessions. A mandatory condition is participation in a week-long in-person program in Gauteng in October or November 2026, with transport and accommodation covered.
This is not a one-off workshop. Selected artists gain access to studio space and continuous support throughout 2026. The program includes masterclasses on financial literacy, legal literacy, fundraising, grant writing, media coaching, mental well-being, and marketing. The timing is deliberately synchronized with the peak season of the Joburg Art Fair and exhibition venues in September 2026, ensuring participants have current visibility within the industry.
Participants will also develop and refine their creative portfolio under the guidance of experienced curators and artistic mentors, and upon completion of the program, they will receive an invitation to the exclusive Talent Unlocked alumni community.
RMB has not disclosed the number of applicants, so it is impossible to give an exact percentage chance. The more important criterion is meeting the requirements: the program is not intended for artists who work part-time or hold gallery commitments until November. The selection criteria are very specific and strictly enforced, meaning an application that fully meets all requirements will be reviewed more closely than a strong portfolio submitted under non-compliant circumstances. Before filling out the form, it is recommended to read the list of criteria twice.
Before starting the process, you need to prepare two documents: an updated CV and a digital portfolio consisting of 5–10 works. The portfolio must contain high-quality images with details of the works and be presented as a single PDF file. It is extremely important to label each upload with your name and the type of work (e.g., 'Themba.P_ArtistCV'), as the program emphasized the importance of precise naming. Applications should be submitted directly through the website www.talentunlocked.firstrand.co.za. Email applications are not accepted and such emails will be deleted, so do not send portfolios to the inquiry address instead of using the form. Questions can be directed to talent.unlocked@firstrand.co.za, specifying 'RMB Talent Unlocked' in the subject line. The application deadline is August 24, 2026.
FNB Art Joburg, Africa's leading and longest-running contemporary art fair, has announced the winner of the FNB Art 2026 award—Kelebogile Marope. In its nineteenth edition, FNB Art Joburg aims to sustainably support and develop the continent's cultural offerings in ways that extend beyond the fair itself. The FNB Art award is one of the fair's most important commitments toward this mission.
The jury for the FNB Art 2026 award consisted of Kim Kandane (Fair Manager and FNB Art Joburg representative), Mike Mavura (Curator), and Veronique Savigne (Interior Designer and Art Collector). The jury decided that Kelebogile Marope's practice represents a compelling expansion of modern African sculpture. She has taken on a traditionally male domain, perfecting her craft with a level of skill and precision that distinguishes her work.
The jury was particularly impressed by Marope's ability to push the boundaries of sculpture, creating a practice that is simultaneously deeply rooted in place and boldly inventive. Her works demonstrate a unique material language and a fresh perspective embodying the spirit of the FNB Art award.
As the recipient of the sixteenth FNB Art award, Marope joins winners such as Tato Toeba, Gresham Tapiva Nyaude, Lindokule Sobekwe, Dada Hanyiso, Wickliff Mundopa, Lady Scully, Bronwyn Katz, Harunn Gann-Sali, Pedju Alatisse, Nolan Osvald Dennis, Turie Magadlela, Portia Zwavahere, Nelisive Xaba, Mokke J van Weuren, Kudzanai Chuirai, and Cedric Nann.
Linda Kachingeve-Sisa, FNB Marketing Director, added that they wish to congratulate Kelebogile Marope on receiving the FNB Art 2026 award. She emphasized that her work is both intensely personal and universally resonant, demonstrating the power of art to connect us to place, memory, and each other. Marope's achievement reflects not only her exceptional talent and dedication but also the growing strength, diversity, and global significance of contemporary African creativity.
For nearly two decades, the partnership with Art Joburg has been driven by a commitment to nurture and elevate African talent, creating platforms for artists to grow from emerging talents to globally recognized cultural figures. Kelebogile's recognition serves as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary creative potential present across our entire continent. They are delighted to acknowledge her success and proud to support platforms that amplify African stories, invest in creative excellence, and help shape the future of contemporary African art on the world stage.
Born in Ramotswa, Botswana, Marope has consistently developed her practice, gaining regional recognition. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts and subsequently a Master of Fine Arts from Rhodes University, she has exhibited in Botswana and South Africa, continuing to expand her interdisciplinary work. Her selection as the FNB Art 2026 award winner, and especially as the first female artist from Botswana to receive this honor, marks a significant milestone both in her career and in the growing international recognition of the Botswana contemporary art scene.
Working in sculpture, drawing, and mixed media, Marope's practice explores the relationship between memory, identity, and the spaces we inhabit. Drawing inspiration from domestic settings and everyday materials, she investigates how ordinary objects, surfaces, and architectural details become repositories of lived experience. Through her meticulous and processual approach, her works illustrate how the rituals of daily life shape our understanding of home, belonging, and collective memory, prompting viewers to reconsider the meaning of the familiar.
The FNB Art award is part of FNB Art Joburg's long-term commitment to building a stronger and more self-sufficient ecosystem for contemporary African art. By recognizing artists from across the continent and providing a platform that extends beyond the fair itself, the award invests in sustainable artistic careers while expanding the narratives presented in the global cultural landscape. Marope's recognition signals the importance of supporting excellence wherever it arises, strengthening regional artistic networks, and creating opportunities for African artists to thrive on their own terms.
As the 2026 award winner, the artist will receive a cash prize as well as a solo exhibition at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which houses the continent's largest collection. The solo exhibition is scheduled for 2027.
