Young Womxn Studio Bursary Award
Supporting WOMXN in the arts
The Bag Factory is proud to host the annual Bag Factory Young Woman Studio Bursary, generously supported since 2019 by our alumni and renowned South African artist Sam Nhlengethwa.
Now in its 4th year, through an Open Call, the bursary offers an emerging/early career woman/womxn artists - under the age of 35, based in South Africa - with a studio for a period of 12 months within our premises. Applicants who have previously benefited from one of the Bag Factory’s awards or studio bursary programmes are not eligible.
The studios and its community strive for an open, non-hierarchical creative environment that promotes exchange and experimentation. The residency provides the recipients with the opportunity to work alongside talented artists and to meet, work, and grow within South Africa’s economic capital.
2023/2024 Bursary Recipients
Nadine is an emerging artist born and raised in Gauteng. She graduated from Artistproofstudio in 2021 and recently completed her 4th-year internship program at The Studio in February 2023. Currently based in Ellis House, Johannesburg, Nadine actively produces artworks and participates in various competitions.
Notably, she achieved recognition as a top 12 finalist in the prestigious ANNA award competition in 2022. With a deep passion for the arts, she also aspires to pursue further studies in the field of fashion.
Nobakada is an emerging contemporary mixed media artist born in the Western Cape. She is currently completing her Honours degree in Fine Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her work reflects the regal performances of femininity and beauty she finds herself surrounded by as she navigates tensions between traditional and modern expressions of beauty in a postcolonial world, and its relationship with the growing socioeconomic autonomy of women.
Notably, she achieved recognition as a top 12 finalist in the prestigious ANNA award competition in 2022. With a deep passion for the arts, she also aspires to pursue further studies in the field of fashion.
What will the successful applicant receive?:
• A fully funded studio bursary for 12 months.
• A studio crit session with Sam Nhlengethwa during the studio residency.
• The opportunity to engage with Bag Factory artists, staff, international visiting artists, and visiting curators.
• The opportunity to be included in Bag Factory exhibitions and creative programmes.
• Applicants should not expect to profit financially from their stay as this is a cultural development programme.
• As this is a studio bursary, applicants will NOT receive any funding towards materials, accommodation or transport.
The artist is expected to:
• Work from the Bag Factory a minimum of 4 weekdays each week, interacting with Bag Factory and local artists.
• Attend the Bag Factory’s events and artist’s meetings.
• Complete a written report on their residency.
• Arrive on time and stay for the full period (12 months).
About the Studio:
• Shared studio of +/- 23m squared.
• Studios are strictly non-residential and are accessible 7 days a week.
• WiFi and access to all communal facilities in the building.