Selected artists will be shortlisted for placement on the Museum’s exhibition calendar over the next four years; deadline 29 May 2026
Oliewenhuis Art Museum, a satellite of the National Museum in Bloemfontein, has issued an open call for solo exhibition proposals from South African visual artists. Successful applicants will be shortlisted for potential placement on the Museum’s exhibition calendar within the next four years, across suitable gallery venues at Oliewenhuis. Outdoor exhibitions may also be accommodated where appropriate.
The closing date for proposals is 29 May 2026 at 11h00.
Institutional context
Oliewenhuis Art Museum’s mandate is to collect, conserve, and exhibit works that represent the heritage of South African art, serving the broader community through accessible, high-quality programming. The Museum emphasises conceptual rigour, technical excellence and contextual relevance in its exhibition programme.
Solo exhibitions typically run between four and ten weeks. Selected artists must be available to attend the exhibition opening and associated walkabouts.
Online briefing session
An optional online briefing session will take place on 6 March 2026 at 11h00 via Zoom. Attendance is not compulsory, and artists who do not attend may still submit proposals.
Meeting details are available via the National Museum website.
Eligibility and functionality criteria
The call is open to all South African artists and is not limited to practitioners based in the Free State.
Proposals will be assessed according to the following functionality criteria:
- South African citizenship, verified by a valid SA ID
- Experience producing visual art after tertiary studies or formal art training
- Participation in group or solo exhibitions, locally or internationally
- Awards and recognition within the visual arts field
- Conceptual value and relevance of the proposed exhibition within the South African context
- Availability of at least ten completed, exhibition-ready artworks
- Technical quality and suitability of artworks for display
Artists who score 65 points or above will be considered by the CEO and recommended to the Council for inclusion in the exhibition calendar. Council decisions are final, and no appeals will be entertained.
Preference may be given, where space constraints arise, to historically disadvantaged and/or disabled artists who have not previously had a solo exhibition at Oliewenhuis, as well as to artists who have not exhibited solo at the Museum within the past ten years.
Evaluation process
Proposals will be reviewed in two stages.
Stage 1: A Pre-screening Committee will verify that all compulsory documentation has been submitted. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
Compulsory documents include:
- A completed and signed application form.
- A copy of the applicant’s South African ID
Stage 2: An Evaluation Committee will assess eligible proposals on merit. Proposals scoring 60 and above may be recommended for placement on the 24-month exhibition calendar, subject to institutional capacity.
Late submissions will not be considered.
Practical information
The Museum will cover transport costs for artworks within South Africa and insure works while on the premises. Artists must grant permission for the use of artwork images in promotional and educational materials. No physical artworks are to be submitted as part of the proposal.
Application forms and the detailed advert are available at the National Museum website. Completed applications must be sent to publicart@nasmus.co.za. Queries should be submitted in writing to oliewen@nasmus.co.za.
By opening its programme to new solo proposals, Oliewenhuis Art Museum continues its commitment to supporting South African artists and situating their work within a national institutional framework.
Applications for solo exhibitions at Oliewenhuis Art Museum close on 29 May 2026 at 11h00.
