…and that’s a wrap on #NAF18

NAF Executive Producer ASHRAF JOHAARDIEN reflects on his experience of the unruly, fabulous…

‘An artist’s duty is to reflect the times’

Dancer and choreographer Mamela Nyamza is this year's National Arts Festival Featured Artist, an…

‘Born in the RSA’ to be restaged 20 years after Barney Simon’s death

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‘Challenging works that speak to the times’

Many of the works on this year’s MAIN THEATRE programme at #NAF18 cross and blur genres, and make…

‘Come book a show, and sit front row…’

Let's do this in numbers: Dylan Hitchens and Simon van Wyk, the TWO musicians that make up musical…

‘Intriguing, hopeful’ script wins 2020 Distell competition

Amy Louise Wilson was announced as the winner of the 2020 Distell National Playwright Competition at…

‘It’s the audiences that keep me going’

A true child of the Festival, Rob van Vuuren is celebrating 25 years at NAF this year with more than…

‘South Africa’s artists can liberate us from fear’

Here is the address given by National Arts Festival Creative Director Ismail Mahomed at the…

‘This story is important to me’ – Distell winner Putuma

Writer and performance poet Koleka Putuma is the winner of this year’s Distell National Playwright…

‘We’re aiming to deliver the best possible Festival’

Monica Newton, the new CEO of the National Arts Festival, has hit the ground running since moving to…

‘What I learned’ series – new at #NAF17

Starting on Saturday 1 July at the National Arts Festival is a new event on the Think!Fest…

‘You know you’re in Grahamstown when…’

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“ADULTS ONLY…” for second National Arts Festival “Short Sharp Stories Award”

The National Arts Festival again partners with author Joanne Hichens for the second annual Short…

[WATCH] Works in progress with Igshaan Adams

We caught up with Igshaan Adams, this year's Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art, at his…

#NAF16 travel plans: directions and roadworks

If you're planning on driving to the National Arts Festival, you'll need to factor in a little extra…

10 things to know about #NAF16

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2013 National Arts Festival attendance figures stable

On the back of a call for innovative and groundbreaking proposals for its 2014 Main programme, the…

2013 Standard Bank Ovation Awards announced at National Arts Festival

The 2013 edition of the National Arts Festival draws to a close with Festival award winners being…

2014 a big year for Standard Bank Young Artist Awards

The National Arts Festival last night named an unprecedented eight young South Africans winners of…

2014 Standard Bank Ovation Awards announced at National Arts Festival

The much anticipated Standard Bank Ovation Awards were announced on the closing day of the 2014…

2014 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance critiques the traditional

The National Arts Festival’s 2014 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance, 30 year old Nicola…

2015 Arts Journalist Awards deadline extended

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2015 National Arts Festival keeps it sharp and fresh

Satire and freedom of expression will seize centre stage at this year’s National Arts Festival,…

2015 Standard Bank Jazz Festival burns with spirit of collaboration

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2017 Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Human Rights Award

Soweto theatre group Ngizwe, has been named the recipient of the National Arts Festival’s Oliver…

2021 National Arts Festival Brought Work to Artists in Crisis

2021 Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award winner Is'Thata Dance with Initiation. Photo by Mark…

2023 Standard Bank Ovation Awards Winners

Winners Of Standard Bank Ovations Awards 2023. Image sourced by Standard Bank Arts Twitter…

2024 Standard Bank Ovation Awards

The Standard Bank Ovation Awards are designed to reward creative excellence and innovation on the…

3 flagship shows on sale in December

For the first time ever, audiences will have the chance in December to snap up early tickets to…

5 artistic innovators receive ‘ultimate accolade’

Mandla Mlangeni, Kitty Phetla, Megan-Geoffrey Prins, Amy Jephta and Gabrielle Goliath join the…

5 fresh voices are this year’s Distell finalists

The names of the five finalists of the Distell National Playwright Competition of 2020 have been…

6 steps to a hassle-free Festival

It’s almost 100 days until the start of the 45th National Arts Festival, the biggest, busiest and…

8 ways to have a good time in Grahamstown #NAF2015

We share our top tips for visitors to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown (more…)

A chance to see the world on our stages

International acts give audiences the chance to experience world-class talent on our local…

A Moment of Pause as Women Artists Take Stock

The arts have always been a force for social change particularly in South Africa where, under…

A trip to remember: Adventuring through the Eastern Cape

  Makhanda might be the place to be for the duration of the National Arts Festival, but…

About the Hoppers

Makhanda may seem tiny, but walking from one venue to another between shows can be tricky with so…

Access the Festival on the go with our free app

Visitors to the National Arts Festival can carry their plans in their pocket with the Festival’s…

Access to arts ‘critical for transformation’

The arts’ scene elite attended a ceremony in Mpumalanga recently to hand over a special award to a…

Adding up to AMAZ!NG: the Festival in numbers

Let us do the sums for you: nearly 2 500 performances of 630 shows adds up to 11 Days of…

Africa’s artists join hands on stage at National Arts Festival

Questions around African identity and belonging are woven into this year's programme for the…

African influence dominates Festival offering of Blues/Funk/World Music

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2013 incorporates a variety of disciplines into its…

African storytelling resonates at the National Arts Festival in its 50th year

As the National Arts Festival celebrates its 50th year in 2024, there are so many memories to share.…

Afro-Jazz toasts South African history at Jazz Fest

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2013 incorporates a variety of disciplines into its…

Akhona Daweti – master of the Box Office

Akhona Daweti is the Festival’s Box Office Manager and, with early bird bookings just around the…

ALBANY CABARET CLUB

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ALEC MULLINS

All the #NAF2015 Ovation award winners

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All you need to know about the Festival street parades

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Amanda Black, Ringo Madlingozi and Bongeziwe Mabandla to perform at live National Arts Festival 2022

The National Arts Festival has announced exciting new additions to its 2022 programme with one night…

Amazing moments – unveiling our new advert

We're delighted to present our brand-new Festival TV ad - inspired by a commercial produced by our…

Amazing ride ahead: 2018 Main Programme revealed

The line-up for this year’s National Arts Festival Main Programme extends an invitation to…

Amazing Stages to ignite Village Green Fair

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first Craft Fair at the Festival… and we’re using…

Amplifying Africa: shows to celebrate who we are

This weekend, during which the world celebrates Africa Day, we highlight productions that explore…

Amy Jephta: Championing theatre for and by women

This year's Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre is Amy Jephta. She is a playwright who has also…

An Online National Arts Festival Evolves

Continuing to hold space for the rise of online performance and virtual audience interaction, the…

An opportunity for retrospection as the National Arts Festival turns 50

As the National Arts Festival marks fifty years, many opportunities to reflect on who we are and…

Announcing more shows for adventurous audiences

As the 25 June launch of South Africa’s first Virtual National Arts Festival draws rapidly nearer,…

Apply now to be part of the Fringe in 2019

UPDATE: Applications for the 2019 Fringe are now closed. Thank you for your interest. Artists and…

Apply now to be part of the Fringe in 2020

The call for registration for the 2020 Fringe at the National Arts Festival is now open! The 46th…

Arena to showcase fresh voices and new narratives

The Arena showcases the work of winners of the National Arts Festival’s Standard Bank Ovation…

Art can conquer hate: 10 shows to see at #NAF16

Art can conquer hate! Book for the following 10 events at this year's National Arts Festival: 1.…

Artists Grapple with Turmoil and Fragility as NAF Returns to Live Shows

A scene from Hamlet by Janni Younge - image by Bronwyn Lloyd Stories of turbulence,…

Artists, find out how to get to Edinburgh

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Arts Community Rejoices: Restrictions scrapped as National Arts Festival opens

Performers at the National Arts Festival's 2022 opening - image Mark Wessels The mood…

Arts Festival shines a light through the gloom

The spotlight was turned on the importance of the arts in South African society at the official…

Arts Festival to end on a high note

Thursday, July 7, 2016 — The closing weekend of the National Arts Festival sees the 11-day…

Arts Journalism of the Year Award: all the winners

The 2016 Arts Journalism of the Year Award winners were announced on Monday 28 November at a…

Ashraf Johaardien is NAF’s new Executive Producer

[14 July 2016] – Playwright and Arts Administrator Ashraf Johaardien has been appointed as the…

ATHERSTONE ROOM

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Avigail Bushakevitz, Standard Bank Young Artist 2016 winner for music

Born in Jerusalem in 1988, Avigail Bushakevitz’s family moved to South Africa when she was one.…

Award-winning works on Arena at NAF18

The National Arts Festival’s Arena is a special section of the programme reserved for works that…

B2 ARENA

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BASA/National Arts Festival Arts Journalism Award winners

JOHANNESBURG -- The National Arts Festival and Business and Arts South Africa announced the winners…

Be assured, the show will go on!

Thank you to everyone who sent us notes of concern and calls today to check on the status and safety…

Be inspired by the French in Grahamstown

A long-standing partner of the National Art’s Festival, the French Institute of South Africa…

Be part of Creativate Digital Arts Festival 2020

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Be swept away by dance at #NAF16

Dance enthusiasts can anticipate a diverse array of productions at the National Arts Festival from…

BEETHOVEN ROOM

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Berni Searle is the Featured Artist for 2019

The National Arts Festival has announced that its 2019 Featured Artist is Berni Searle, a visual…

Big Names and Big Bands for Grahamstown Jazz Fest.

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2013 incorporates a variety of disciplines into their…

Bigger venue for Guandong Puppets

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Blow your ear sockets at #SBJazz2019

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival was launched in Johannesburg last night. Early bookings are now…

Book now for 11 days of Amaz!ng

The 2017 National Arts Festival is just around the corner and we hope that you're as excited as we…

Bookings for National Arts Festival open 9 May

Bookings open on Monday 9 May for this year's National Arts Festival, a feast of theatre, dance,…

BOWLING CLUB

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Bravery on the boards at 2013 National Arts Festival

Deepest desires and darkest fears explored in the 2013 National Arts Festival Grahamstown theatre…

Bridging Generations, Celebrating Creativity – the National Arts Festival at Fifty

As the National Arts Festival commemorates fifty years, the Curated Programme reflects on universal…

Bridging generations: There’s music for all tastes at the National Arts Festival

Music has always been an important part of the National Arts Festival programme. And in our 50th…

Bringing the best of tech + creativity to your screen

Creativate Digital Arts Festival, presented by Standard Bank and the National Arts Festival, is back…

Browse Festival arts and crafts from your sofa

The Village Green, the buzzing fair at the heart of the National Arts Festival, will this year…

But is it art?’ at the National Arts Festival

Boundaries of both audiences and performers are extended with the Performance Art offering from the…

Call for entries for 2014 South African Arts Journalism Awards

The National Arts Festival, Grahamstown and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) are pleased to…

Call Goes Out to Fringe Artists as National Arts Festival Returns to Live Stages this Winter

After two years of hosting the National Arts Festival online, the organisation has announced that…

Call to participate in Digital Arts Festival in 2019

Artists who are exploring the innovative space where arts and technology converge are invited to…

Call to participate in new digital festival

A brand-new event will be launched at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown this year –…

Calling all emerging South African writers

A chance to showcase your work at the National Arts Festival The National Arts Festival and Distell…

Cape Dance Company celebrates 20th year in Grahamstown

The Cape Dance Company has performed at the National Arts Festival since the company was established…

Cape Town Buskers Festival set for November 2018

The popular Cape Town Buskers Festival returns to the V&A Waterfront from 1-11 November 2018…

Catch Naledi award winners at the Festival

The National Arts Festival is the premier showcase of the best theatre in the country – and…

Celebrating 30, 20 and 10 years on the Fringe

They are the "staatmakers" of the Fringe at the National Arts Festival – the ones audiences rely…

Celebrating Africa Day: 11 shows to see at #NAF16

In celebration of Africa Day, National Arts Festival Artistic Director Ismail Mahomed shares 11…

Celebrating Heritage, Legacies and the Creation of a Nation at the National Arts Festival

Tracing heritage and legacies and looking back to our roots are themes that come up strongly on the…

Celebrating Standard Bank Ovation Award winners!

A sold-out performance by Freshlyground and a free parade through the streets of Makhanda on Sunday…

CENTENARY HALL

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Changes, cancellations: Sunday 12 July

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Choir, dancers celebrate opening of 45th Festival

A chilly but blue-skied Makhanda morning marked the opening and first day of the 2019 National Arts…

Chuma Sopotela sets the stage for new rituals

Standard Bank Young Artist Chuma Sopotela’s journey into performance art was driven by her…

CITY HALL

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Collaboration and innovation the way forward

The National Arts Festival, which ended in Grahamstown last Sunday, has reported its final…

COMMEMORATION CHURCH

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Contemporary collections consider the historical at National Arts Festival

A contemporary look at the historical seems to dominate the 2013 series of Visual Art Exhibitions…

Continental connections highlighted on the National Arts Festival’s Curated Programme

Since the first National Arts Festival in 1974, societal and technological changes have enabled us…

Controversial Filmmaker wins Standard Bank Young Artist Award

Free-spirited filmmaker Jahmil XT Qubeka has been named by the National Arts Festival as the winner…

Countdown to Main programme deadline

Artists interested in taking part in South Africa’s National Arts Festival, which will be held…

Countdown to the 2023 National Arts Festival begins as Programme Announced and Booking Goes Live

NOTE TO MEDIA: Media accreditation for the National Arts Festival is now open, please visit…

Court Rules in Favour of National Arts Festival’s Claim Against the NAC

A still from ICU in Corona Unit, a piece curated and directed by Mandisi Sindo of KASI RC for the…

Covid Protocol: Rhodes University Venues

Please be aware that Rhodes University has a vaccine mandate, and ticket holders for shows happening…

Creativate curator tells us what it’s all about

Toby Shapshak is the co-curator of the inaugural Creativate Digital Arts Festival, which runs from…

Creativate Digital Arts Festival: 5 highlights

The second Creativate Digital Arts Festival, supported by Standard Bank, runs across all 11 days of…

Creativate: a line-up for the insanely curious

The second Creativate Digital Arts Festival is landing in Makhanda this June/July with a vast menu…

Creativate: digital playground for artists

The National Arts Festival has announced a programme of work that is “inspiring, innovative,…

Creativate: Taking a glimpse into future of the arts

The Creativate Digital Arts Festival, presented by Standard Bank, is back for its third year and…

Creativate18 – the artistry of technology

The Creativate Digital Arts Festival at the 2018 National Arts Festival is a tech-meets-design…

Creative excellence rewarded at National Arts Festival 2015

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Creative Feel: a guide to the National Arts Festival

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CuePix Pic of the Day: Saturday 4 July

Every day of the 11 Days of Amaz!ng, we will feature the CuePix Pic of the Day – an image that…

Curious, furious and poetic dance line-up for 2017

Bringing together different aesthetics, contexts and languages, the dance programme at this year’s…

Dance – an engaging drawcard in 2018

So, what can audiences look forward to on the Main Dance programme this July? "Strong, critical…

David April, embracing dance in South Africa

The Main programme of the National Arts Festival is selected from an annual open call for…

Deadline extended for Arts Journalism Awards

The deadline for entry into the National Arts Festival/BASA Arts Journalism Awards has been extended…

Deadline extended: Proposals for the National Arts Festival 2016

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Deadline for 2019 Main programme extended

The closing date for new and established artists to submit proposals for possible inclusion in next…

Design the vNAF t-shirt – and win R5 000!

The 46th National Arts Festival will be a very special one. Due to Covid-19, the Festival will be…

DICKS IN THE MONUMENT

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Digital 2020 Standard Bank Ovation Awards Ceremony Recognises Artistic Excellence

The Virtual National Arts Festival has ended with an event to celebrate the winners of the 2020…

Distell playwright finalists announced

The National Arts Festival has revealed the five finalists of the Distell National Playwright…

Distell2020: Chance for new writers to stage work

The National Arts Festival is calling on new playwrights to step forward with exciting ideas for…

Diverse dance at the National Arts Festival

Geographical and cultural roots explored in the National Arts Festival Grahamstown’s 2013 Dance…

Download the #NAF16 programme here

Hundreds of brilliant productions, exhibitions, installations, films and performances fill the pages…

Drama for Life wins Adelaide Tambo award

The 2016 Adelaide Tambo Award for Human Rights was presented to Drama for Life at the awards…

Dutch ensemble to present world premiere

Asko|Schönberg, the leading music ensemble for new music in the Netherlands, will present the world…

Dylan Valley, reimagining film in South Africa

Dylan Valley, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, is a member of the Artistic Committee and the…

Early Bird Alert: select shows open for booking

The National Arts Festival is offering those planning on travelling to Grahamstown the chance to…

Early bookings to open for #NAF18

Tickets to sought-after shows on the Main programme at this year’s National Arts Festival will…

Eastern Cape divas’ extraordinary night

Zahara, Msaki, Nombasa Maqoko and the Makhanda Kwantu Choir filled up the Guy Butler Theatre at the…

Enjoy a one-stop theatrical experience

With so many productions to chose from on the Fringe, you will be forgiven feeling…

Enter now for the Arts Journalism Awards 2016

Arts writers, broadcasters and photographers across traditional and online media are invited to…

Enticing new work on the award winners’ playground

'The National Arts Festival’s Arena is a fast fix of edgy new work from some of the artists who…

Entries Now Open For 2022 Distell National Playwright Competition

The organisers of the Distell National Playwright competition are once again calling for entries by…

EP Herald: It’s all systems go for 41st Festival

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Exciting plans to exhibit works online for vNAF2020

The National Arts Festival is going virtual this year with an exciting programme that includes…

Expect the unexpected at National Arts Festival 2017

South Africa’s artists, theatre makers and musicians are responding to the challenges of living in…

Explained: New pathways to the NAF Fringe

Given the tough broader arts environment that artists are operating in, the challenges of Makhanda…

Extend Your Festival Stay and Play in the Adventure Province

Are you thinking about coming to the National Arts Festival’s Makanda Live experience? It’s…

Extra shows, cancellations and changes

Updated: Saturday 7 July 12:20 While the National Arts Festival team makes every effort to ensure…

Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 1 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 1 July

While we make every effort to ensure the information in the programme is correct, changes to…

Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 10 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 2 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 2 July

Update: The Neo Muyango Trio at DSG today (2 July) at 12:00. Unfortunately, due to circumstances…

Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 29 June

While we make every effort to ensure the information in the programme is correct, changes to…

Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 3 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 3 July

While we make every effort to ensure the information in the programme is correct, changes to…

Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 30 June

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 30 June

While we make every effort to ensure the information in the programme is correct, changes to…

Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 4 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 5 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 5 July

While we make every effort to ensure the information in the programme is correct, changes to…

Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 6 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 6 July

While we make every effort to ensure the information in the programme is correct, changes to…

Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 7 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 7 July

While we make every effort to ensure the information in the programme is correct, changes to…

Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 8 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 8 July

While we make every effort to ensure the information in the programme is correct, changes to…

Extra shows, changes and cancellations: 9 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: Friday 10 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: Monday 6 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: Saturday 11 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: Saturday 4 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: Sunday 5 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: Thursday 9 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: Tuesday 7 July

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Extra shows, changes and cancellations: Wednesday 8 July

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Fabulous Festival fun for families

Families are in for a treat at this year's National Arts Festival with two new Family Fare venues…

Fantastic family theatre at Grahamstown National Arts Festival

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Farewell 2021…and a souvenir to remember it by

2021 is finally drawing to a close and we hope that you are looking forward to some rest and…

Fearless, funny, charming and daring: the Fringe in 2018

Fringe festivals – the playground of the independent, original artist – continue to be a vital…

Festival ‘gives meaning to SA’s constitutional principles’

The National Arts Festival has opened amid a joyful Eastern Cape celebration at Grahamstown’s…

Festival die-hards share their top tips

Grahamstown residents and experienced Festival-goers share their inside tips on making the most out…

Festival gives visitors plenty of reasons to laugh

Given the current climate in the country, South Africans are in dire need of a good laugh – and,…

Festival Travel & Stay packages on offer

Come and enjoy the last weekend at the National Arts Festival. We've put together some special…

Festival’s music programme hits the right note

It’s an exciting year for music on the Festival’s Main stages as Featured Artist Neo…

Figures suggest business as usual for National Arts Festival

Organisers of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown reported that 2013 was turning out to be a…

Final call for entries: 2014 South African Arts Journalism Awards

The deadline for entries to the second annual South African Arts Journalism Awards is fast…

Find the fearless, the first and fun on the Fringe

The National Arts Festival transforms Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) into a multi-stage,…

Find your way around the Festival

Finding your way to and around Festival City

Travelling to Makhanda Coming to the Festival this year? Maybe you’ve never been before. Here’s…

First step: find a place to stay

The first step in planning your trip to Grahamstown is securing somewhere to stay. Festival Manager…

Firsts and foremosts make up the Modern Jazz highlights in 2014

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2014, incorporates a variety of disciplines into its…

Firsts, finales and f(r)iction on the Fringe

The Fringe at the National Arts Festival is always a vibrant, diverse collection of performances…

Forgotten Angle is 2018 recipient of Tambo Award

The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative receives the 2018 National Arts Festival Oliver and…

Free – and fun! – things for families at the Festival

The National Arts Festival presents great opportunities for families to introduce their children to…

Freedom belongs to those who create it

By Nobesuthu Rayi, Acting Executive Producer of the National Arts Festival…

Fringe17: Reflecting the state of our nation

By holding up a mirror to South Africa, artists on the Fringe programme offer audiences a chance to…

From 0 to 44: At the frontlines of change

Since its inception in 1974, the National Arts Festival has always served to hold a mirror up to…

From environmental to social, Justice and Hope feature prominently at the National Arts Festival this year

While no two National Arts Festivals are ever the same, each offers the opportunity to engage with…

Full circle for Francois Knoetze

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FULL FEMALE CAST: FINALISTS IN 2022 DISTELL PLAYWRIGHT COMPETITION

The five, all female Distell National Playwright Competition finalists for 2022, come from a variety…

Full-on Fringe awaits #NAF16 explorers

Many of South Africa’s foremost performers, producers, directors and choreographers are returning…

Gabrielle Goliath: embracing the capacious

Gabrielle Goliath is this year's Young Artist for Visual Art. She is a multidisciplinary artist who…

GALLERY: Best of the Fest (Part 1)

All photographs by Jan Potgieter. His passion for performing arts photography relates to his love…

GALLERY: Best of the Festival (Part 2)

All photographs by Jan Potgieter. His passion for performing arts photography relates to his love…

GALLERY: Dada Masilo’s Giselle

Dada Masilo and her cast have been performing to sold-out audiences this Festival. Her feminist take…

GALLERY: Music at the National Arts Festival

From packed-to-the-rafter houses singing every word to every song (The Soil – we loved you!) to…

GALLERY: Sabamnye noMendi

Those who attended Mandla Mbotwe's Sabamnye noMendi were left in no doubt that they'd seen…

Get early bird tickets to select shows

This year, for the first time ever, tickets to some of the hottest shows at this year's National…

Get ready for the ultimate online celebration of SA arts

Happening entirely online from 25 June-5 July 2020, the Virtual National Arts Festival will be…

Giving artists a platform to earn money

The Virtual National Arts Festival, due to kick off on 25 June 2020, has announced a new digital…

GLENNIE FEST

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GLENNIE HALL

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Global viewing experience in Grahamstown

The National Arts Festival will introduce the National Theatre Live digital experience to…

GRAEME COLLEGE

GRAHAM HOTEL

Grahamstown community pulls together to prepare

The 44th National Arts Festival will open on 28 June and the citizens of Grahamstown have rolled up…

Grahamstown for day trippers

Sarah Roberson's guide to spending a day in Grahamstown, host city of the National Arts…

Grahamstown gets serious about comedy

The National Arts Festival, which will run from 29 June to 9 July this year, is tearing up the…

Grahamstown lays out the red carpet

Grahamstown is being draped in red, white and blue as it prepares to welcome thousands of visitors…

Grahamstown Sings!​

Masicule – Let’s Sing! is a choral concert taking place in Grahamstown on Sunday 23 and Monday…

Grahamstown to host 11 Days of Amazing in 2017

The world’s cultural spotlight will fall once more on Grahamstown from 29 June to 9 July 2017 when…

GREAT HALL

GUY BUTLER

GYMNASIUM

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Hear the call of women’s voices

Compelling women’s stories and trailblazing female creatives command the spotlight at the 2016…

Hitting top notes at the Fringe

Atiyyah Khan rounds up some of the most eagerly anticipated music acts on this year’s National…

Holiday ideas: extending the Festival experience

The National Arts Festival is an annual feast of theatre, dance, performance art, music, visual art…

How do you read a play? Aloud, of course

How do you read a play? Aloud is the answer. In much the same way a musical score can only really be…

How the Ovation Awards work

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How to Book: Standard Bank Presents

Wondering how to book for Standard Bank Presents? We've created a handy guide! Due…

How to enter the 2015 SA Arts Journalist of the Year Awards

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How to use the new NAF programme and book your shows

There is no printed programme for the Festival this year. This means that all information about the…

How to… buy tickets and watch shows

We're doing something brand-new this year by holding the National Arts Festival online. But this has…

How we’ll be doing it differently this year

The Covid-19 pandemic has put the arts sector and all related events under tremendous strain. As…

How we’re making sure the show will go on at #NAF2015

As the sleepy hollow of Grahamstown prepares to welcome thousands of visitors, the organisers of the…

I seek to work around the violence – Gabrielle Goliath

Gabrielle Goliath is this year's Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art. This is the speech she…

Impact Study confirms National Arts Festival’s significant economic contribution to Grahamstown

The National Arts Festival is a significant driver of the economy of the City of Grahamstown and the…

Inaugural Arts Journalism Award Gold Awards announced

The Gold Award winners of the inaugural National Arts Festival/BASA Arts Journalism Awards were…

Infuse your art with digital delectation

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International and home-grown superstars dazzle Mainstream Jazz at Fest

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival 2014 incorporates a variety of disciplines into its programme. The…

International artists head to SA’s cultural mecca

For 11 days Grahamstown will become the cultural mecca of South Africa when the National Arts…

International award for Twist’s Emma Durden

Emma Durden, the programme manager of Twist Theatre Development Projects, has been honoured with an…

International guest stars headline Mainstream Jazz at Fest

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2013 incorporates a variety of disciplines into their…

International recognition for Steve Newman and Ashish Joshi

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It’s all systems go for the 45th National Arts Festival

It’s all systems go for the opening of the 45th National Arts Festival in Makhanda (formerly…

It’s the final countdown to #NAF16

The final countdown to the 42nd National Arts Festival (30 June – 10 July 2016) has begun. With…

Jade Bowers, Standard Bank Young Artist 2016 award winner for theatre

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Jazztown 2018: mining the past to unearth music’s gems

The who's who of jazz will descend on Grahamstown this July for the 31st Standard Bank Jazz…

Jazztown holds promise of rare musical dialogues

When musical notes take flight at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival this July, it will be for much…

Jemma Kahn: the pay-off of taking risks

We asked theatre maker Jemma Kahn, this year's Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, what she's…

Join the Festival parade & bid farewell to NAF2019

A decade ago, the first Festival Parade was held on the streets of Grahamstown; this year, the…

June 16: the other boy in the photograph

Photographer Robert Frank is quoted as saying that, “There is one thing the photograph must…

Karoo Moose: opening NAF with magic

Acclaimed South African playwright, director and producer Lara Foot is this year's Featured Artist…

Kate Davies, the keystone of the Festival

KATE DAVIES has been working for the National Arts Festival in various roles since 1996 – we think…

KINGSWOOD

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Kitty Phetla: dancing to her own tune

Kitty Phetla is a senior soloist and choreographer at Joburg Ballet. She has toured and performed…

Kyle Shepherd makes musical magic as 2014 SBYAA for Jazz

Capetonian pianist, saxophonist, composer and band leader – Kyle Shepherd – has been named by…

Lara Bye on this year’s Main theatre programme

Artistic Committee Member Lara Bye the lead curator of the theatre component of the 2018…

Latest ‘Short Sharp Stories’ now on sale

THE winners of the Short Sharp Stories writing competition have been announced – with the final…

Latest Ovation Award winners at #NAF18

You're invited! Please join us – and the artists and producers – to find out who has won SILVER…

Latest Ovation Award winners at #NAF2019

Artistic innovation, excellence, the exploration of new performance styles and the courage to open…

Lazarus wins best story in Short Sharp collection

The annual anthology of Short.Sharp.Stories was launched at the National Arts Festival this week.…

Let your journey unravel the truth, Mahomed tells Schools Festival

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Let’s talk about the future of the Fringe

A new-look National Arts Festival Fringe is on the way – and we want to run it by you The arts…

LIBRARY HALL

Lift off for the first online National Arts Festival

The National Arts Festival has made history today with the launch of the first ever digital…

Live performances still top list for Festival visitors

What is better than a new customer? One that comes back for more – and a whopping 83% of…

Live Returns to Makhanda

The long-time home of the National Arts Festival remains at the heart of the 2021 programme.…

Load Shedding

Download the Festival/July load shedding schedules for Grahamstown City 1 and City 2 here The…

Local Jazz Artists and International Musicians Reunite at National Arts Festival

2021 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, Vuma Levin, will perform two shows at the National Jazz…

London-based opera singer humbled by Award from home

Durban-born Baritone Njabulo Madlala has been named by the National Arts Festival as the 2014…

Loss, memory at heart of Performance Art programme

Loss, memorialisation and women are prevalent on the Performance Art programme at this year's…

Lucky packet of surprises awaits on the Fringe

Never mind politics – if you want to see true democracy in action, where professional…

M&G: Loyiso Gola takes his comedy to the next level

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Main programme highlights at NAF2019

The dizzying rotation of newsfeeds, non-stop change and the struggle for something newer, more…

Make it an Eastern Cape Holiday to Remember

Are you planning on coming to NAF 2023? Make a winter holiday out of it and explore the Eastern…

Make it an Eastern Cape Holiday to Remember

Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape Are you planning on coming to NAF 2023? Make a winter holiday…

Make this the year to come to Grahamstown

To avoid a big dose of Festival #FOMO, it’s time to start planning for a trip to South…

Makhanda gets ready for the National Arts Festival

The banners, posters and flags are going up as Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) prepares to host the…

Makhanda is open for business

The National Arts Festival is one of the signatories to a public statement that was issued today by…

Makhanda Prepares to Welcome Back Arts Lovers

The Eastern Cape town of Makhanda is dusting off the disappointment of two years without its annual…

Mamela Nyamza is 2018’s Featured Artist

Each year, the National Arts Festival celebrates the work of a Featured Artist – a South African…

Mandla Mlangeni: fluent in the language of jazz

Mandla Mlangeni is a jazz trumpeter and composer who has become a popular fixture on local and…

Mary Watson’s JungFrau: from page to stage

Mary Watson’s short story JungFrau will be brought to life on stage in Germany and South Africa…

Masicule: Vusi Mahlasela to lead 800 voices in song

By Kate Davies Masicule celebrates its sixth birthday at the Guy Butler Theatre at the Monument in…

MASONIC BACK

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MASONIC FRONT

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Mavericks and collaborators lead the Blues/Funk/World Music programme

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2014, incorporates a variety of disciplines into its…

Maxing the fun of the Festival for littlies

Take the stress out of bringing your children to Grahamstown – the Children’s Arts Festival…

Media accreditation for 2015 now open

Media who would like to be part of the 2015 National Arts Festival, which runs from 2 to 12 July,…

Meet Berni Searle, the 2019 Featured Artist

Each year the National Arts Festival celebrates the work of a featured artist – a South African…

Meet the 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners

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Meet the 2017 Artistic Committee

Behind the Main programme of the 2017 National Arts Festival, which will be held in Grahamstown from…

Meet the 2018 Standard Bank Young Artists

Chuma Sopotela, Guy Buttery, Igshaan Adams, Jemma Kahn, Musa Hlatshwayo and Thandi Ntuli are South…

Meet the fab four behind the vFringe

The Fabulous vFringe Team is made up of two NAF old-timers – Manager Zikhona Monaheng and her…

Meet the NAF team: Lauren Fletcher, Creativate Curator

Lauren Fletcher is another one of the Festival team's Jack (Jill?) of all trades, having been…

Meet the NAF team: Rucera Seethal, Artistic Director

We asked Rucera Seethal, the Artistic Director of the National Arts Festival, some questions about…

Meet the team behind the Festival’s new virtual market

Three strong-willed women keep the Village Green wheels turning. This year, without the sawdust and…

Megan-Geoffrey Prins: musical explorer

Megan-Geoffrey Prins is a pianist whose prodigious talent was evident early on – he had performed…

MEMORY HALL

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Mini-Flemish season at South Africa’s National Arts Festival

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Mining a rich seam of talks, workshops at NAF

Much of the action at the National Arts Festival, which runs from 27 June to 7 July in Makhanda…

Modern musical moments a Grahamstown Jazz highlight

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2013 incorporates a variety of disciplines into its…

Mohau Modisakeng, Standard Bank Young Artist award winner for visual art

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Money too tight to mention? No problem!

We're only too aware of the pressure we're all under when it comes to watching our Rands and cents.…

Monica Newton takes the reins at NAF

Experienced arts administrator Monica Newton has been appointed as the new chief executive officer…

Multi-talented Homann wins Young Artist Award for Theatre

Multi-talented theatre director and academic Greg Homann has been named by the National Arts…

Multiple melodies at National Arts Festival

Multiple types of melody make up the Music programme at the 2013 National Arts Festival,…

Musa Hlatshwayo: exploring black male identity

‘This is an opportunity to create and stage work that will hopefully address the sociopolitical…

Music 2018: tribute to curiosity, collaboration

Artistic Committee Member for Music Samson Diamond says 2018 will be an important musical year for…

Music at #NAF16: Tuning in to the sounds of SA

Festival goers will be able to tune in to the soundtrack of South Africa when the country’s…

Musos from around the world head to Jazz Festival

Jazz innovators from 12 different countries will share the stage with top SA artists including…

NAF CEO to step down, new board members appointed

Makhanda – The National Arts Festival has announced that its long-serving Chief Executive Officer,…

NAF holds steady in tough economic climate

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NAF programme bursts with stellar shows

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NAF reveals first elements of 2018 line-up

The first shows of the 2018 National Arts Festival, which will be held in Grahamstown from 28 July…

NAF seeks to appoint Artistic Director

The National Arts Festival (NAF) seeks to appoint a dynamic, highly networked Artistic Director on a…

NAF team explains digital format for 2020

In the first of a series of 'Talk to the Team' webinars, we explain how we envisage the first-ever…

NAF to produce first-ever Fringe in UAE

EDINBURGH – Against the backdrop of the iconic Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest arts…

NAF’s curators share tips on what they’re looking for

Not long after the curtain has fallen on the 2019 National Arts Festival, organisers are in…

NAF17: what we’re looking for

In 2017, the Main programme of the National Arts Festival (29 June to 9 July 2017) will focus on the…

National Arts Council Fulfills Grant Payment Obligation to the National Arts Festival

The National Arts Festival (NAF) and the National Arts Council (NAC) have reached an agreement on…

National Arts Festival 2014 Fringe opens for applications

The National Arts Festival, Grahamstown is now accepting applications for Fringe productions wanting…

National Arts Festival announces new award for advocacy through arts

The role of the arts in transforming South Africa from an apartheid state to a constitutional…

National Arts Festival calls for proposals for 2015

After celebrating, in 2014, four decades of superb programming, vibrant creativity, courageous…

National Arts Festival calls for proposals for 2016

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National Arts Festival calls for Think!Fest Proposals

The National Arts Festival’s Think!Fest programme has developed a strong profile for attracting…

National Arts Festival commemorates milestones with 2014 call

Reporting steady figures from 2013, and with confirmation of funding in place for next year, the…

National Arts Festival launches Creative City project in partnership with European Union

The National Arts Festival has announced the launch of a new partnership with the European Union…

National Arts Festival reports positive results

New projects and initiatives and the “consistency of delivering great art to our audiences”…

National Arts Festival Rises to the Occasion on its 40th Anniversary

The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year, has…

National Arts Festival seeks Executive Producer

Revised structure for NAF calls for dynamic new leadership [fusion_builder_container…

National Arts Festival to Stage First Mandela Bay Arts Festival in 2022

Residents and visitors to Gqeberha and surrounds can expect a cultural boost during Heritage Month…

National Arts Festival unleashes feisty line-up for 2016

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NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL’S RETURN TO LIVE PERFORMANCE SIGNALS A REBOOT FOR THE ARTS

IMPORTANT DATES The programme for the Festival will be announced on 7 June 2021. The Standard…

Navigating the National Arts Festival

Arts lovers and Festival fans are grabbing their coffee, credit cards and calendars because the…

New Format for Cape Town Fringe 2017

Monday, July 10, 2017 — Organised by the same team that puts together the National Arts Festival…

New home for Village Green in 2018

From 2018 the Village Green Craft Market at the National Arts Festival will have a new home. The…

New in 2018: Curated Spaces at the Monument

This year, for the first time, the National Arts Festival will be hosting curated exhibitions at…

New in 2018: learn new skills in our art workshops

Visitors to the National Arts Festival this year are being given the opportunity to roll up their…

New in 2018: talks to unleash the power of ideas

Executive Producer ASHRAF JOHAARDIEN says this year's Film and Ideas platform will present a diverse…

New initiatives to freshen up 2018 Arts Festival

Grahamstown’s annual gathering of creative and artistic talent is readying itself for a reboot as…

New ticketing system for National Arts Festival

The ticketing system which powers the iconic Edinburgh Fringe is poised to change the way South…

Next generation showcased at the National Youth Jazz Festival

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2014, incorporates a variety of disciplines into its…

NFVF at #NAF16: Honouring women, activism

Together with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), we're delighted to announce a late…

NG KERK HALL

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Ngena!

The short of it: In 20 years of democracy, government has moved from crass panning of the the…

Nobesuthu Rayi shares her Top 5 picks

"What a mammoth task I have been given to choose my Top 5 from such a well put-together programme…

Nobesuthu Rayi, supreme multitasker

Nobesuthu Rayi is Associate Producer at the National Arts Festival. Last year was her first Festival…

NOLUTHANDO HALL

NOMBULELO HALL

NOMPUMELELO HALL

NUNS CHAPEL

NVFV at #NAF16: the final programme

Funding has been secured, curatorial decisions made, and screening times finalised – the National…

Nyamza brings work bang up to date for 2018

Trailblazing dancer and choreographer Mamela Nyamza takes the title of Featured Artist in 2018.…

Online Showcase Uncovers Makhanda’s Hidden Stories

Well known for its annual arts festival, outside of that spotlight, Makhanda is a city with many…

Open an enchanted box of delight at NAF2019

Theatre and the arts are proven to expand the minds of children and have a significant impact on…

Opinion: Grahamstown, we have a problem

(The following piece, written by Festival CEO Tony Lankester, was featured in Grocotts Mail on…

Our fab app will put AMAZ!NG in your pocket

You can keep AMAZ!NG in your pocket by downloading the Festival's 2017 mobile app. Free from both…

Ovation Award winners at #NAF16

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Ovation Award winners at #NAF17

Artistic innovation, excellence, the exploration of new performance styles and the courage to open…

Ovation Awards 2017 – Special, Silver and Gold

More than two hundred productions premiered on the Fringe at The National Arts Festival this year,…

Ovation Awards celebrate fresh talent at 2018 Festival

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Packing for Makhanda – the essential list

We all know that Makhanda can get colder than a polar bear's toenails during Festival, especially at…

Peek behind the curtain: more top shows revealed

The 45th National Arts Festival is all set to open on 27 June for 11 amazing days, and the…

PHOTOS: Fun at the new Village Green Fair

Our social media wrangler MICHELLE HODGKINSON took her camera along when she visited the new Village…

Pieces fall into place for reimagined Festival

The Virtual National Arts Festival programme is slowly starting to emerge – it has been cocooned…

PJS

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Planning your trip: finding accommodation

A wide range of accommodation and hospitality services are available in Grahamstown – from 5-star…

Poignant Film One Take Grace Screened Online for Limited Time

Born of a conversation between two women on a film set, One Take Grace reflects on a life and a…

Preferential booking opens for Artbucks members

Preferential early booking for the 2018 National Arts Festival opens today for Artbucks members,…

PRINCESS ALICE

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Problem with ‘Print at Home’ function – we’re working on it!

Dear NAF Customer Thank you for your purchase. We're aware of an intermittent problem with the…

Programme Highlights on Standard Bank Presents

The first collection of shows on the 2021 National Arts Festival Experience programme has been…

Public art: venues for Semi-Gloss

[FESTIVAL NOTICE] Semi-Gloss is a public performance work developed by Ayanda Nondlwana…

Q&A: Rights and royalties explained

A webinar exploring online rights, royalties and obligations was recently hosted by the National…

Rayi plays her part in Arts Festival role

From delivering impeccable performances in the many diverse roles she has played on stages since she…

Read SA Art Times bumper Festival edition online

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RECREATION CENTRE

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REHEARSAL ROOM

Remembering Hugh Masekela, jazz legend

We mourn with the rest of South Africa the passing of one of South Africa's greatest musicians –…

Reminder to Fringe artists to submit technical requirements

[FESTIVAL NOTICE] A heads up to all artists participating in this year's Fringe to submit their…

Remixing the street parade: all you need to know

The ninth annual Street Parade will be held on the final weekend of the National Arts Festival,…

Return of the Cypher Festival programme

Aroundhiphop and The Blk Power Station Present: The Return of the Cypher Festival Aroundhiphop is…

Review: DE|COMPOSITION

DE|COMPOSITION In DE|COMPOSITION, artist, political ecologist, geographer, and…

Review: KGANYA

Left to right: Ipeleng-Merafe, Lulu Mlangeni, Khaya Ndlovu Lulu Mlangeni's flight of…

Review: Ndinxaniwe

Friday 25th June 2021. National Arts Festival 2021, Ndinxaniwe - Theatre Production. PICTURE: MARK…

Review: The Jitsvinger Trio

Lyrical finesse, immaculate instrumentals, unapologetically Kaaps It’s a tricky…

Rewarding the best of the best at #NAF16

Artistic excellence was celebrated at the National Arts Festival this morning when the winners of…

RHODES BOX

RHODES CHAPEL

RHODES CLUB

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RHODES THEATRE

Ringing endorsement for arts as Festival grows

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Rucera Seethal is NAF’s new Artistic Director 

Rucera Seethal is the newly appointed Artistic Director of the National Arts Festival (NAF), the…

SA and France: inspired collaborators

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the partnership between the French Institute of South…

SA Arts Journalism Awards finalists announced

The National Arts Festival and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) have announced the Silver…

SA’s national treasure is this year’s Featured Artist

The National Arts Festival annually pays tribute to an artist who has made a significant mark on the…

SA’s oldest jazz festival incubates new music

Magical and creative musical collaborations will come into sharp focus at the 2018 Standard Bank…

Sabamnye no Mendi: Dialogues with the drowned

One hundred years after the sinking of the SS Mendi on a foggy night at the height of World War I,…

Samson Diamond, responding to SA’s cultural zeitgeist

Violinist (and a former Standard Bank Young Artist) Samson Diamond is the lead curator for…

Sanda Mankayi, calm in the eye of the storm

Sanda Mankayi is in recovery! With this year's Festival now being wrapped up, she took a moment to…

SCOUT HALL

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Send us your ideas for a Virtual National Arts Festival

This year we go digital – 2020 sees our first-ever big bold step into a virtual National Arts…

Send us your ideas for a Virtual National Arts Festival

We are inviting all artists, producers, digital pioneers and anyone else whose imagination we’ve…

Shape-shifting Kukama wins 2014 Performance Art Award

The National Arts Festival’s 2014 Standard Bank Young Artist for Performance Art is…

Shaping together: 50 Years of the National Arts Festival

Over the last 50 years, exceptional, ground-breaking, thought-provoking productions, exhibitions and…

Sharjah: Be part of a brand-new fringe festival

The inaugural 2020 Sharjah Fringe, the first-ever fringe festival in the UAE, will be a brand-new,…

Shooting the Festival: Hlumela Mkabile

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Shooting the Festival: Jane Berg

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Shooting the Festival: Pearla Berg

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Short.Sharp.Stories authors on Caine shortlist

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Showering love on local craft and design

Many of the traders who usually fill the chilly winter air in Makhanda with exuberant sales chatter…

Shows confirmed for #NAF18… so far!

As the anticipation builds for this year's National Arts Festival, which runs from 28 June to 8…

Sign up for E Cape Schools’ Fest on the Road

The Eastern Cape Schools’ Fest on the Road will be held on 17 and 18 September in Makhanda…

Silver Winners of National Arts Festival/BASA Arts Journalism Awards announced

The finalists in the inaugural National Arts Festival/Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) Arts…

Six days to go: the press previews the Festival

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Siya Makuzeni, Standard Bank Young Artist 2016 winner for jazz

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SLIPSTREAM

Sneak peeks: Hamlet, Jungfrau and Steven Cohen

We’ll be revealing the jewels of the curated Main Programme in the build-up to the National Arts…

Sneak peeks: Hamlet, Jungfrau and Steven Cohen

We’ll be revealing the jewels of the Main programme in the build-up to the National Arts…

Sneak peeks: music, mourning and magic

Here are another three works on the Main line-up at this year's National Arts Festival – a…

Sneak peeks: two Canadian gems and a (Little) Prince

On the Main programme at the National Arts Festival this July are two Canadian plays, presented in…

Something special for learners

The National Schools Festival runs from 25-30 June in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown). There is a…

South Africa’s greats take the lead in Afro-Jazz at Jazz Fest

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2014 incorporates a variety of disciplines into its…

South African classics at #NAF2015

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South African theatre is outfoxing challenging times

National Arts Festival Executive Producer Ashraf Johaardien says this year's programme demonstrates…

South African work showcased at National Arts Festival

Three showcases of important South African work are on offer at this year’s National Arts…

Special offer for Standard Bank customers

If you are a Standard Bank customer, you may qualify for a 20% discount on your tickets when you pay…

Spirit, Ritual and Celebration: The 2023 Standard Bank Young Artists feature at the National Arts Festival

2024 is a special year of celebration, commemorating not just 30 years of democracy in South Africa,…

Sponsors & Acknowledgements

SPONSORS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PRESENTING…

ST ANDREWS’ HALL

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Stand by for the first-ever virtual NAF

A special announcement from Monica Newton, the CEO of the National Arts Festival So here’s the…

Standard Bank ensures the Festival moves forward

Standard Bank has renewed their sponsorship of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, one of the…

Standard Bank launches Jazz and Blues Café at National Arts Festival

In 2013, the Festival is proud to introduce a new Jazz Festival venue - the Standard Bank Jazz &…

Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Visual Art sees double in 2014

Twenty eight year old twin brothers Hasan and Husain Essop have been named by the National Arts…

Standing Ovation Award for Gary Gordon

Gary Gordon, the "father of South African physical theatre", was presented with a Standard Bank…

Streets of Freedom: all you need to know

The National Arts Festival’s annual street parade is the event that signals the closing of one…

Students unflinching in tackling gender at NAF

Much of the work performed on the Student Festival at this year's National Arts Festival…

Subscribe to FEST44 – news, behind the scenes, interviews

Welcome to FEST44, a new publication brought to you by the National Arts Festival team FEST44 marks…

Suzanne Vega set for Grahamstown shows

The National Arts Festival announced today that it will be welcoming acclaimed singer-songwriter…

Team Amaz!ng is ready to welcome you

Da-da-da, da-da-da Da-da-da-da-da, da-da-da, da-da, da Da-da-da-da-da Da-da-da, da-da-da …

Tech boss Nicci Spalding and her elastic brain

ONE of the things the National Arts Festival is best known for is its outstanding technical…

Thandi Ntuli: the disciple of cool

   ‘A world without music would be like walking in a grey world, difficult to get…

The #NAF16 programme is here!

The ink is dry on this year's programme! And you'll soon be able to browse 100s of pages…

The 2021 National Arts Festival Closes on a High Note with Standard Bank Ovation Awards

Mommy Mommy. NAF 2021. Photo by Mark Wessels Let My Love be Heard. NAF 2021. Photo…

The 48th National Arts Festival Prepares for a Fresh Start

Hullo, Buy-Bye, Koko, Come In from Koleka Putuma. Image by Sara CF de Gouveia It’ll…

The 5 artists shaking up SA’s creative industry

Blessing Ngobeni, Nthato Mokgata, Lulu Mlangeni, Jefferson Tshabalala, and Sisonke Xonti join the…

The Arena – a magical place of discovery

While the Main programme is the holy grail and the Fringe is where you take a leap of faith, the…

The best Student Theatre at #NAF16

Awards for the best works by students at the 2016 National Arts Festival were announced at a…

The Critter’s NAF Gig Guide Pt1

KGANYA (Light) Festival hadn’t even started and we had to chop and change, dodge and…

The Gruffalo struts on to Joburg stage

After hugely successful runs in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth as well as an equally well-received…

THE HANGAR

THE HIGHLANDER

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The National Arts Festival and Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) announce Arts Journalism Awards

Charl Blignaut, Arts Editor of City Press newspaper, has been named South Africa’s Arts Journalist…

The National Arts Festival Comes to SA Cities From This Week

Nthato Mokgata, 'Afro Jazz Giants Hip Hop Tribute' Mid pandemic, the National Arts…

The National Arts Festival Reports Positive Half Way Results

Despite the icy weather, South Africans are continuing to support the National Arts Festival in…

The National Arts Festival Stats Celebrate 40 years of Artistry

Street parades, a birthday celebration, a dazzling array of international performers from over 40…

The reasons why….

An online discussion, spurred by an article by writer and activist Mike van Graan and responded to…

The SBYA award winners who share their success

Our Artistic Director Ismail Mahomed says he enjoys celebrating the upward trajectory of Standard…

The year that was, and the year to come

We ask the outgoing 2018 Standard Bank Young Artists about their experiences – and find out what…

Theatre Benevolent Fund coffers swell thanks to National Arts Festival and Standard Bank

For the second consecutive year, audiences at the National Arts Festival dipped their hands in their…

Theatre for one actor, one audience member at a time

Theatre between a single actor and a single audience member at a time DEURnis / Uzwelo one-on-one…

Themba Mbuli, Standard Bank Young Artist 2016 award winner for dance

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There are no silences here: curators on 2018 programme

The works on the Curated Programme at this year's National Arts Festival give a vivid,…

Think!Fest: A fascinating festival for your brain

There’s no doubt that this is a complex, challenging and invigorating time to be South African –…

THOMAS PRINGLE

Thought Provoking Treasures for National Arts Festival, Grahamstown

On the eve of the National Arts Festival’s 40th anniversary, the Festival programme continues to…

Three gems not to miss at #NAF18

The National Arts Festival is about so much more than 'just theatre'. We highlight three shows we…

Throwback Thursdays: The Festival in pictures

We've persuaded CuePix editor Harold Gess to share some of the more spectacular photographs he and…

Ticket info: How, where and when to book

The countdown to this year's National Arts Festival has truly begun, with full bookings opening…

Tickets to this year’s gala concert, ballet now on sale

The FESTIVAL GALA CONCERT and 'the ballet' – ROMEO & JULIET this year – are the events that…

Tickling the senses at Think!Fest

Think!Fest in 2017 is not only about giving you food for thought – it’s also about inspiring…

TimeOut: Dylan Moran on making metaphorical cakes…

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TimesLIVE: Zulu Warriors – A white kid on my stoep

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Today’s line-up at the Sundowner Concert

As the sun sets over Makhanda, voices rise inside the Monument... Every evening, between 17:00 and…

Tony and Thuli Cox – live in concert in Makhanda

Tony Cox Live in Concert – with special guest Thuli Cox Presented in partnership with the…

Top 5: Director Jade Bowers picks must-see shows

Director and theatre maker Jade Bowers, the 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist, will be bringing…

Top 5: Gopala Davies shares his must-see shows

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Top travel tips for Festival early birds

It’s never too early to start planning your #NAF2020 trip and here are some tips to get you…

Tumbuka to bloom bold at National Arts Festival

Unflinching Harare-based dance company Tumbuka to stage production that grapples with the Zimbabwean…

Tuning in to Guy Buttery’s global language

It is the first time since 1981 that the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award for…

Tutorial: Livestream Shows

Wondering how to book for the live shows on our online festival? We've created a handy…

Tutorial: Video on Demand (including Jazz + Fringe)

Wondering how to book our video on demand shows on our online festival? We've created a handy…

Uncovering an underground wonderland

Think!Fest takes on issues around the ownership of urban public space in a series of fascinating…

Uncovering hidden narratives in (South) Africa

Artistic Committee Member and curator of the Visual Art programme ERNESTINE WHITE-MIFETU says this…

Unearthing the past on the #NAF17 stage

The National Arts Festival’s theatre programme is “a laboratory of work that reimagines…

Unlocking the fabulousness of the Fringe

There are a few things you may not know about navigating the hundreds of performances on offer at…

Using the element of surprise to shift paradigms

In an interview by Judith Hartstang for Festival Theaterformen, National Arts Festival Executive…

Vicky’s

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VICTORIA THEATRE

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Virtual NAF: your questions answered

Welcome to our world for 2020 – with a brand-new concept for our ‘new normal’ We’ve put…

Visual Art at 2018 – Giving silence a voice

This year's National Arts Festival Visual Art programme marks 'quite a change' from traditional…

vNAF: We answer your webinar questions

Our first Talk to the Team webinar was held online on 21 April 2020 – thank you to all who…

Wanted: Festival pop-up galleries for 2018

With the move of Village Green to the Victoria Girls’ fields in 2018, the National Arts Festival…

WATCH: Just get to the Festival and watch shows

We caught up with producer, comedian and TV presenter SIV NGESI at Cape Town's Alexander Bar in the…

We answer your frequently asked questions about #NAF2015

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We’re here. You’re here – Let’s talk

Talk to the team Tuesday 21 April at 4pm Book your space here National Arts Festival CEO…

We’re looking for a new leader…

Update: Applications are now closed. Thank you for your interest in this position. MAKHANDA –…

We’ve got this! Letter from the CEO

As you are likely to have heard, our City, Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) is currently experiencing…

Webinar: Creating for digital platforms (Part 1)

Part I – The Creative Process: Friday 15 May 14:00 – 15:30 Part II – The Practical Guide:…

Webinar: Creating for digital platforms (Part 2)

The second webinar on creating work for digital platforms will be held on Friday 22 May. It will…

Webinar: Creating for digital platforms (Part 3)

Join National Arts Festival Technical Director Nicci Spalding as she hosts a think tank on how to go…

Webinar: How to participate in the new Virtual Green

Facilitated by Selina White, Village Green Director for the past 21 years, this webinar will…

Webinar: Marketing your online work

You can make the work but then comes the marketing! To help you figure out how to get more clicks on…

Webinar: Online work and the law

As arts and entertainment moves rapidly into the digital space, there is a steep learning curve…

Well Worn’s season of theatre activism at NAF2019

“The visions we offer our children shape the future. It matters what those visions are. Often they…

What is the Half Price Hut?

The Half Price Hut gives Festival-goers the chance to pick up tickets to the hottest shows, at the…

What to Expect: Cape Town

Mandisi Dyantyis will be on the programme at the Cape Town edition of Standard Bank…

What to Expect: Durban

The Neil Gonsalves Trio will perform at Standard Bank Presents in…

What to Expect: Gqeberha

Social Disturbing by Xabiso Zweni and the Masifunde Creative…

What to Expect: Johannesburg

The Ecstatic Shows take place at The Market Theatre complex, AFDA Red Roof Theatre and…

What to Expect: Makhanda Live (Curated Programme)

David Bester performs with the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra Bookings are now…

When a conductor has a sense of humour…

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When Grahamstown becomes Jazztown

The countdown to South Africa’s oldest and longest-running jazz festival has begun. Music lovers…

Where to eat and where to play at #NAF2019

It's not just your head and your heart that need filling at Festival time, it's your belly too! Here…

Where to get the Arts Festival programme

With hundreds of performances, it's good to get to grips with what's on offer at the National Arts…

Why are there tickets if a show was sold out? We answer your booking questions

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Why the Ovation Awards are a big deal

You know that feeling when, as a performance ends, you are moved to jump to your feet and applaud…

Win an AMAZ!NG trip to the National Arts Festival

9am UPDATE: This competition is now closed. Thank you for your wonderful entries! We will be doing a…

Winners announced for Short Sharp Stories

The National Arts Festival and Mercury Publishers are pleased to announce the winners for the Short…

Women of the past inspire young violinist

Neo Motsatse's 2019 National Arts Festival show, Seasons: Dorothy Masuka Songbook in the style of…

Women take centre stage with strong female presence at this year’s National Arts Festival

This year’s programme features more women in an effort to amplify female voices in the theatrical,…

World stars headed for CT Buskers Festival

Street performers fresh from the international festival circuit and some of South Africa’s hottest…

Young Artists embrace the realm of the ancestors

“Space has continuous conversations with those who pass through it – that same space has memory…

Young Artists Inspire at the 2014 National Arts Festival

There is always much excitement and high expectations in Grahamstown when the Standard Bank Young…

Young Artists prepare to take the wrappers off

Each year the Festival celebrates the work of the recipients of the Standard Bank Young Artist…

Young artists to break new ground at NAF

As South Africans pause to reflect on the legacy and future of our youth in South Africa in the…

Young director tells her story of student protests

Upcoming playwright and Fleur du Cap nominee Nwabisa Plaatjie brings her deeply personal story 23…

Your chance to catch up with SA’s visual artists

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Your Festival in 2018 – dates to diarise

If you want to get on top of your timeline for planning a 2018 trip to the National Arts…

Youth ignited through Grahamstown Jazz

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown 2013 incorporates a variety of disciplines into its…

Zikhona Monaheng, Queen of the Fringe

The Fringe Manager of the National Arts Festival, Zikhona Monaheng – known by everyone as Zee –…