An open call for artists working across live and interdisciplinary forms to present new and experimental work at one of South Africa’s leading performance festivals.
14 April 2026
Open Call:
The Institute for Creative Arts at the University of Cape Town invites proposals for the ICA Live Art Festival 2026, scheduled to take place from 14 to 17 October 2026 in Cape Town.
The call seeks submissions for live artworks to be included in the festival’s programme, which presents a curated selection of performances across disciplines.
Institutional Context:
The ICA Live Art Festival is a flagship programme of the Institute for Creative Arts, an interdisciplinary research institute within UCT’s Humanities Faculty.
Since its inception, the festival has provided a platform for experimental live art practices that challenge conventional forms, engage critical themes, and expand audience experiences in a non-commercial context.
The festival foregrounds interdisciplinary exchange, bringing together artists working across performance, visual art, dance, and related fields.
Eligibility and Criteria:
The open call is aimed at artists and practitioners working in live art and performance-based practices, including interdisciplinary and experimental forms.
Proposals should demonstrate:
- A strong conceptual and artistic framework
- Engagement with contemporary issues or critical discourse
- Suitability for live presentation within a festival context
The call is open to both South African and international artists.
Evaluation Process:
Submissions are reviewed and curated by the ICA team and festival organisers.
Selection is based on artistic merit, conceptual strength, and the proposed work’s contribution to the festival’s focus on experimentation, interdisciplinarity, and critical engagement.
Practical Information:
The festival runs over four days in October 2026 at venues associated with UCT in Cape Town.
Selected artists present their work as part of a curated programme that typically includes performances, talks, and discussions engaging both local and international audiences.
The festival is known for creating a space for boundary-pushing work that confronts audiences and explores new artistic languages.
The application deadline is 30 April 2026.
Applications and Queries:
Applications are submitted online through the ICA platform, requiring a detailed project proposal and supporting materials.
For further information, applicants can consult the ICA website or contact the Institute for Creative Arts directly via their official channels.
Notes:
- The ICA will not accept applications via email.
- Only proposals submitted through the online form will be considered.
For enquiries, please contact: ica@uct.ac.za, with the subject line: LAF 2026
