Fine Art is defined as "creative art, especially visual art whose products are to be appreciated primarily or solely for their imaginative, aesthetic, or intellectual content."
Also referred to as “high art,” Fine Art has long been considered to be the highest standard of artistic expression.
Fine artists make work that is purely created to be aesthetically pleasing. The aesthetic purpose distinguishes the fine arts from the “low arts” which are traditionally designed for more practical purposes, such as pottery or metalwork.
Fine Arts is a broad term that includes the umbrella categories of Visual Arts, Applied Arts and Applied Arts.
Where to study Fine Art in South Africa
Fine Arts programmes teach you how to become an artist and find expression for your creativity and imagination.
As a potential artist, you’ll combine art theory, history, and criticism with long hours of practice in an effort to come up with unique creations. After graduation, you can work as a printmaker, fine artist, graphic designer, art director, etc.
Some qualifications one could obtain in Fine and Visual arts are a Bachelors Degree in Visual Art, Bachelors of Technology in Fine Art, Bachelors of Education in Art and Design, and a Masters of Technology in Fine Art.
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Rhodes University
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- AFDA
- Campus of Performing Arts
Bursaries to study Fine Art in South Africa
In order to qualify for a bursary within the ARTS sector, you will generally have to submit or perform a piece of your “art work” like in a portfolio.
While creativity cannot be taught, your skills and talents can be fine-tuned with the help of a tertiary qualification. If you are in need of tertiary funding, these bursary opportunities could be very helpful.
The Arts and Culture Trust Scholarship
The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT), partnered with Nedbank Arts Affinity, sponsored by Nedbank, Sun International and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA), is inviting students to apply for the Nyoloha Scholarship programme (NSP).
Scholarships will be awarded for undergraduate studies within the following fields:
- Performing Arts (singing, dance, theatre/acting)
- Visual Arts (paintings, drawings – photography is NOT included)
- Digital Arts (digital installations, 2D/3D computer graphics, digital paintings)
Eligibility requirements include:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be between the ages of 17 and 25 years old
- You must be currently in Matric OR must have university exemption
- You must intend on pursuing an undergraduate qualification within the performing or visual arts field, in 2024
- You must be starting your 1st year of study in 2024
- You must be in need of financial assistance to pursue your studies
- You must be able to complete your qualification by no later than 2026
- You must intend on studying, but not currently registered, at a tertiary institution in South Africa
- You must NOT be considered a professional artist (you must NOT have specialized training/ and or be employed full time in your artistic discipline)
NAC South Africa International Bursary
The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) is inviting students to apply for their International Bursary programme.
The International Bursary will be awarded for Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies towards an Arts qualification (including dance, craft, multidiscipline, literature, theatre, music, and visual arts), at any international tertiary institution outside of South Africa.
Eligibility requirements include:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be registered for full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies, within one of the Arts fields listed above
- You must be registered or accepted to study at an international institution
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% (students with an overall average of 63% may be considered in special cases)
- Recognition of prior learning qualification may also be considered if the student is accepted by a sufficient and specific institution
- You must maintain satisfactory progress
- You must demonstrate artistic merit
- You must be in financial need
- Preference will be given to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds
The Absa Fellowship Programme
Absa Group Limited is a financial services group located in South Africa. Absa is inviting students to apply for their Fellowship Programme.
The programme is open to learners from selected African countries (South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Mauritius, Seychelles), for undergraduate degree studies in a number of fields, including the Arts:
- Creative Arts
- Digital Arts
- Drama
- Drama and Film Studies
- Drama and Performance
- Drama and Theatre Studies
- Fine Arts
- Film and Media Production
- Film and Television
- Media Studies
- Theatre and Performance
- Visual Arts
- Visual Studies
Eligibility requirements include:
- You must be a citizen of one of these African countries: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Mauritius, Seychelles
African - You must be between 18 and 25 years old
- You must have completed Matric (or equivalent) with a minimum overall average of 65%
- You must be entering your 1st year of study in 2023
- You must intend on studying towards an undergraduate degree qualification, within one of the fields of study listed above
- You must have been provisionally accepted or accepted to study at one of the 26 public universities in South Africa
Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation Bursary
The Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sport Foundation is a Public Entity of the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation in the North West Province, and is inviting students from the North West Province, to apply for bursary funding.
Bursaries will be awarded for Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies within Performing and Visual Arts fields of study.
Eligibility requirements include:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must reside within the North West Province
- You must be studying or intend on studying towards an Undergraduate or Postgraduate qualification, within Performing Arts or Visual Arts fields of study
- You must be studying or accepted to study at an accredited institution of learning in South Africa
- You must NOT be currently receiving NSFAS funding
- You must NOT be an employee of Mmabana Arts Culture and Sport Foundation or a Government employee
Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship Bursary
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation is inviting students to apply for their Fellowship Programme. The fellowship (bursary) will be awarded for undergraduate degree studies within these fields:
- Arts
- Commerce
- Engineering
- Health Science (excluding Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science)
- Humanities
- Law
- Science
Eligibility requirements include:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must not be older than 21 years old
- You must be currently in Matric
- You must have achieved a minimum result of 60% for Mathematics or a minimum result of 80% for Mathematical Literacy in Grade 11 final results
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% for Grade 11 final results (excluding Life Orientation)
- You must intend on studying towards a degree qualification within one of the fields of study listed above
To qualify for this bursary, you must be studying or intend on studying at one of these 11 partner universities:
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rhodes University
- Stellenbosch University
- TSiBA
- University of Cape Town
- University of the Free State
- University of Johannesburg
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Pretoria
- University of the Western Cape
- University of the Witwatersrand