Featured work by Zenaéca Singh from the group exhibition, As Natural As Daylight (2025).
2027 OPEN CALL
Calling all artists and curators!
The Association for Visual Arts is pleased to invite proposals for our 2027 exhibition programme. We are looking to support exhibitions that expose new works, feature a wide range of media, highlight marginalised histories, experiences, and/or artistic practices, and confront social challenges. Proposals will be considered by a selection committee composed of AVA board members and invited panellists.
We welcome both solo and group exhibition proposals. We host exhibitions offering works for sale and we will consider all proposals, including those that are less commercial and are experimental in nature. Early-career artists and curators, womxn artists and curators, and those from historically disadvantaged communities, as well as creatives working with digital and time-based media, are encouraged to apply.
Submissions for AVA’s 2027 programme close on 31 July 2026. Applicants will be notified by the end of September 2026.
Gallery Facilitation Fee:
We have 4 different gallery spaces at the AVA: Main Gallery (96m2), Front Gallery (22m2), Long Gallery (35m2), Mezzanine Gallery (42m2), and a New Media room (7m2). The Long Gallery is equipped for digital projections and time-based media works while still having space for installed artwork, whereas the much smaller New Media Room is dedicated exclusively to digital projections and time-based media work. Depending on which gallery space you prefer, there is a facilitation fee payable. This fee includes the gallery space for a period of + 6 weeks, assisted installation costs, marketing, signage (vinyl and labels), administration, insurance, and management for the duration of the exhibition. The fee does not cover shipping, framing and photography costs.
Front Gallery: R4000
Long Gallery: R4000
Main Gallery: R8000
Mezzanine Gallery: R4000
New Media Room: R1500
You will need to indicate in your proposal in which gallery you imagine installing your exhibition. The members of the selection committee will do their best to accommodate your choice, but the final placement depends on programming.
When filling in your application, you will have the opportunity to apply for a gallery facilitation fee waiver and exhibition support. Only early-career (under 34) and womxn artists and curators, as well as artists and curators living with disabilities and/or from historically marginalised backgrounds are eligible to apply. Please note that AVA does not fund newly commissioned work.
Please note that the AVA is not a funding body but applies to various funding institutions and sponsors for exhibition support on behalf of eligible applicants. The availability of such support is not guaranteed, and the applicants must be prepared to cover the cost of their exhibition, including the gallery facilitation fee, should they be selected for the AVA programme.
Open Call Admin Fee:
The administration fee for our open call is R150. Pensioners and students pay a reduced fee of R75. Once the fee is paid, applicants will receive a complimentary AVA membership valid for one year. Please note that all current AVA members (with paid-up membership fees) are exempt from this fee. If you are not a member, please complete your payment on www.ava/join before filling out the application form below.
The Application Process:
1. If you're not currently a member of the AVA, pay the open call admin fee.
2. Fill out the application form in full (see below). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
3. All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee in August.
4. Applicants will be notified by the end of September 2026.
If you need assistance with the application process, please contact admin@ava.co.za. We look forward to receiving your applications!
