The Norval Foundation, in partnership with The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF), has announced the finalists for the 2025 Norval Sovereign African Art Prize (NSAAP), an esteemed annual award recognizing outstanding contemporary artists from Africa and its diaspora. This year’s prize, generously sponsored by global investment manager Schroders, highlights 29 exceptional artists from 18 African countries.
Championing African Art on the Global Stage
Kondi Nkosi, Country Head South Africa at Schroders, expressed the company’s pride in supporting the NSAAP: “Schroders is thrilled to be partnering with Norval Foundation and The Sovereign Art Foundation in sponsoring this prestigious award. The prize not only promotes contemporary African art globally but also raises funds for arts education programmes across the continent. We are honoured to contribute to the advancement of these talented artists and support creative education initiatives that benefit African learners.”
The Norval Sovereign African Art Prize was established to celebrate and promote contemporary African artists, providing them with increased international exposure and recognition. The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash award of US$35,000 and a solo exhibition at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town.
Esteemed Judges and a Strong Finalist Roster
Artists were nominated by a board of independent arts professionals, including curators, collectors, writers, and academics, who work closely with artists in their respective regions. A distinguished panel of five world-class art specialists then shortlisted the 29 finalists. The judging panel includes:
- Raphael Chikukwa – Executive Director of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe
- Tim Marlow – Chief Executive and Director of the Design Museum, UK
- Same Mdluli – Artist, Art Historian, Curator, and Writer
- Thato Mogotsi – Curator of Contemporary Art at Zeitz MOCAA
- Simon Njami – Independent Curator, Lecturer, Art Critic, and Novelist
Caroline Greyling, Museum Director of Norval Foundation, noted the diversity and talent represented in this year’s competition: “Norval Foundation is pleased to welcome a wide range of fantastic finalists to the 4th edition of the Norval Sovereign African Art Prize. This competition continues to showcase the incredible talent of African artists, and the 2025 edition is no exception.”
Introducing the FAMM Women’s Prize
This year marks the introduction of the FAMM Women’s Prize, which will be awarded to the highest-rated female artist, excluding the Grand Prize winner. The recipient will receive a cash award of $5,000, generously provided by Femmes Artistes du Musée de Mougins (FAMM).
Christian Levett of FAMM emphasized the importance of this new award: “At FAMM, our mission is to restore the place that women artists deserve in art history while championing contemporary female creators. Partnering with Norval and SAF allows us to honour and elevate female artists in Africa whose work conveys powerful narratives of resilience, identity, and innovation.”
Supporting Art and Education
The Norval Sovereign African Art Prize not only celebrates artistic excellence but also aims to raise significant funds for both the participating artists and Norval Foundation’s Learning Centre. Proceeds will be equally split through an online auction running from 4 February to 13 March 2025. An exhibition and auction launch will take place on 4 February, with the winners being announced on 18 February 2025.
Get Involved
Partnership opportunities for the NSAAP 2025 are currently available. Interested parties can contact NSAAP@SovereignArtFoundation.com to learn more about how they can support this initiative that promotes African art and arts education.
For more information on the Norval Sovereign African Art Prize and its impact, visit the Norval Foundation’s official website or follow their updates on social media.
