TMFAA is a contemporary fine arts completion that seeks to inspire the passion that the late acclaimed resistance artist Thami Mnyele had for art. The Competition stands out as one of the most unique competitions in the country. The rules are open to any kind of media and limitless scale; this allows various forms of the artistic oeuvre to be unearthed. The entered artworks are from a plethora of young and professional’s artists. This competition is free from the traditional rules of the galleries and museums system, as it generates a different kind of approach in its flexible approach. Over the years the artworks selected by the adjudication panel have improved in quality and aesthetic value.
The competition caters for artists of all ages, from all over South Africa, producing various media of artworks. A total amount of R180 000,00 prize money is awarded. Merit awards are presented to winners in each of these categories, plus the overall first prize and a special Ekurhuleni prize – this is awarded to the best work submitted by an artist who hails from this region. There is an additional prize for one of the Top 15 Winners which is the “August House Emerging Residency Artist Award (3-Months Artist Residency Programme) sponsored by The META Foundation.
The adjudication team for this year are:
- Thabang Lehobye – 2021 First Prize Winner
- Carol Kuhn – Art Lecturer (TUT)
- Dr Bongani Mkhonza – Curator (UNISA Art Gallery)
- Senzeni Maraisela – Independent Contemporary Artist an Curator
- Aysha Waja- Independent Curator and Artist Mentor
The following prizes will be awarded:
- First Prize R60 000.00
- Ekurhuleni Prize R40 000.00 and solo exhibition at the Springs Art Gallery (SAG)
- Merit Awards (4 Merit Award prizes of R15 000 each)
- Painting R15 000.00
- Sculpture R15 000.00
- Multimedia R15 000.00
- Works on Paper R15 000.00
- Honourable Mention Awards R10 000. 00
- R10 000.00 Prize Money and August House Emerging Residency Artist Award (3-Months Artist Residency Programme)
Artists are permitted only 4 entries per artist at R50 per entry. All entries must be submitted through the TMFAA portal on tmfaa.ekurhuleni.gov.za/admin_login. The competition website is open for uploading entries on the 1st of August 2022. All entries close on the 27th of August 2022 at 16:00. The Second phase of submission is the physical submission. All registered online entries must be couriered or hand delivered from 24 – 27 August 2022 between 09:00 – 19:00 to the Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards main physical drop-off location, at the Coen Scholtz Recreation Centre, Mooifontein Road, Birchleigh North, Kempton Park. Please note that the Entries must be packed adequately. No entries will be received before or after these dates, or outside the hours stipulated herein. No late submissions will be accepted.