AVA’s 2026 Open Call for Exhibition Proposals

Location
Association for Visual Arts (AVA), South Africa

Official Link
[Insert official link here]

Open to
Artists and curators from all backgrounds. Early-career applicants under 34, womxn, and applicants living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Application Fee
R150 standard
R75 for students and pensioners
Free for current AVA members (with paid-up membership)

What’s Provided

• 6-week exhibition in one of AVA’s galleries (Main, Front, Long, Mezzanine, or New Media Room)

• Assisted installation

• Marketing, signage, administration, and insurance

• Potential for facilitation fee waivers and exhibition support (for eligible applicants only)

• Complimentary 1-year AVA membership with application

What the artist/applicant must cover

• Facilitation fee (unless waived):

  • Main Gallery: R7000

  • Front Gallery: R4000

  • Long Gallery: R3000

  • Mezzanine Gallery: R4000

  • New Media Room: R1500

• Cost of producing the exhibition (AVA does not fund newly commissioned work)

• Applicants must be prepared to cover all exhibition costs unless funding is secured externally

Duration
+6 weeks per exhibition

Deadline
July 31, 2025
Applicants notified by end of September 2025

Notes

• Group and solo proposals welcome

• Works for sale are encouraged but not required

• AVA is not a funding body but applies for sponsorship on behalf of eligible artists

• Applications reviewed in August 2025

• Contact: admin@ava.co.za for assistance