Call for artists and sculptors to submit profiles and portfolios – limpopo tender

Advertisement of bid on tender portal: 15 October 2026

Closing date: 11 November 2026 at 11:00

Briefing session (non-compulsory): 29 October 2026 at 10:00, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, 21 Biccard Street, Olympic Towers Building, Polokwane, 0699

Non-compulsory briefing session: 29 October 2026 at 10:00, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, 21 Biccard Street, Olympic Towers Building, Polokwane, 0699.

Enquiries (in writing only; telephonic enquiries must be confirmed in writing):

• Contact: Ms Modiba V

• Email: [email protected]

• Contact: Mr Mhangwana M

• Email: [email protected]

Submission address:

Department of Sport, Arts and Culture

21 Biccard Street

Olympic Towers Building

Polokwane, 0699

Submission method: place one (1) original copy, correctly marked and sealed, in the tender box at the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, 21 Biccard Street, Olympic Towers Building, Polokwane, 0699, on or before the closing date and time.

Late responses: any response received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.

Returnable documents:

• Artist Profile Submission Form (prescribed template): must be used; any other template will be disqualified. The form captures artist details, biography, Limpopo connection, portfolio checklist and a declaration that the information is true.
• Portfolio with clear photographs of completed artworks/sculptures (minimum five examples recommended).
• Brief descriptions of relevant previous works.
• Certified copy of Identity Document.
• CV/profile/biography indicating years of experience and completed commissions/projects.
• Artist statement.
• References/testimonials or evidence of successfully completed commissions.
• Letter from Traditional Authority and/or municipal bill not older than 12 months.

Disqualification risks:

• Non-submission of any mandatory requirement.
• Using a template other than the prescribed one.
• Late submission.

Artist Profile Submission Form (prescribed template) must be used. It includes:

• Artist details: full name/artist name, ID/registration number (if applicable), municipality/town, physical/business address, mobile number, email address, website/portfolio link, primary artistic discipline, years practising as an artist.
• A. Short Artist Biography.
• B. Cultural / Limpopo Connection: brief description of connection to Limpopo and how artistic practice reflects or engages with the province.
• C. Portfolio Checklist: artist profile/biography attached, curriculum vitae attached, minimum 5 examples of previous artworks attached, artwork titles/medium/material/dimensions/year provided, proof/information supporting Limpopo connection attached, sculpture/installation information attached (where applicable), portfolio/website link provided (where applicable).
• D. Declaration: the information submitted is true and correct; submission does not guarantee selection, appointment, acquisition or commissioning by the Department. Signed by artist or authorised representative with date.

Evaluation is in two phases:

Phase 1 – Mandatory Requirements (pass/fail):

• Artistic Quality & Technical Competence: portfolio with clear photographs of completed works (minimum five examples recommended).
• Relevance to Limpopo Cultural Heritage: portfolio and brief descriptions of previous works.
• Artist Experience & Track Record: certified ID copy and CV/profile/biography.
• Originality & Artistic Identity: artist statement and portfolio.
• Professional Capacity & Reliability: references/testimonials or evidence of completed commissions.
• Locality with Limpopo Province: letter from Traditional Authority and/or municipal bill not older than 12 months.

Non-submission of any mandatory requirement leads to disqualification.

Phase 2 – Functionality Compliance Criteria (scored, total 100 points):

• Artistic Quality & Technical Competence (25 points): quality, craftsmanship, originality, technical execution and professional standard.
• Relevance to Limpopo Cultural Heritage (20 points): ability to interpret or represent Limpopo's cultural heritage, identity, traditions, communities, landscapes, history or contemporary cultural experience.
• Artist Experience & Track Record (20 points): experience in producing and completing artworks or sculptures, including commissioned or public works. Evidence: testimonials/reference letters.
• Originality & Artistic Identity (20 points): distinctive artistic voice, creativity, authenticity and originality.
• Professional Capacity & Reliability (15 points): ability to undertake commissions, meet deadlines, communicate professionally and supply required artwork and documentation.

Minimum qualifying score: 70/100. Artists achieving the minimum score will be shortlisted or included in the approved artist pool.

Purpose: The Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is developing an art collection for the Limpopo Provincial Theatre. This call seeks to identify suitably experienced and emerging Limpopo artists whose profiles and portfolios may be considered for artwork acquisition and commissioning.

Artists and disciplines invited:

• Painting and original canvas artworks
• Sculpture and three-dimensional artworks
• Textile and beadwork art
• Carved artworks and wall reliefs
• Mixed-media artworks
• Fine-art and cultural photography
• Printmaking and works on paper
• Contemporary cultural installations
• Public art and large-scale installations
• Other appropriate visual-art forms suitable for a public theatre environment

Both established and emerging Limpopo artists are encouraged to submit.

Artistic theme: Proposed artworks should demonstrate a meaningful connection to Limpopo, exploring cultural diversity, indigenous knowledge and heritage, communities and cultural traditions, language and identity, music, dance and performance heritage, landscapes and natural heritage, historical narratives, contemporary Limpopo life, unity and cultural harmony, and the evolution of arts and culture within the province. The collection should respectfully reflect Limpopo's cultural diversity and avoid stereotypical or inappropriate representation of communities or culturally sensitive symbols.

Additional requirements for sculptors / installation artists:

• Information on materials normally used and typical size/range of works.
• Experience with large-scale commissioned works, where applicable.
• Fabrication capability and previous public installations.
• Approach to structural stability, durability and safe installation.
• Clear photographs of completed sculptures or installations.

Artists capable of producing major flagship sculptures or cultural installations for the entrance and main foyer of the Limpopo Provincial Theatre are encouraged to submit portfolios demonstrating relevant capability.

Artists must demonstrate experience in producing and successfully completing artworks or sculptures, including commissioned or public works where applicable. Evidence required: testimonials or reference letters. Scoring bands: less than 1 year = 5 points; 1-3 years = 10 points; 4-7 years = 20 points. No CV/profile or evidence of relevant experience = 0 points.

Eligibility: Artists must be from Limpopo Province.

Mandatory evidence:

• Certified copy of Identity Document.
• Letter from Traditional Authority and/or municipal bill not older than 12 months to prove locality with Limpopo Province.

No other compliance requirements (e.g. CSD, tax, B-BBEE, CIDB) are stated in the document.

Submission of a profile or portfolio does not constitute appointment, selection, procurement or a guarantee that an artwork will be purchased or commissioned. Profiles are considered as part of the process of identifying Limpopo artists and potential artworks for the Provincial Theatre. Any subsequent acquisition, commissioning or contracting will follow the Department's approved procurement processes. The Department may verify submitted information, request additional information, and decide whether a profile proceeds to a subsequent stage. The prescribed template must be used; any other template will be disqualified.

Important Notice: Submission of a profile or portfolio does not constitute appointment, selection, procurement or a guarantee that an artwork will be purchased or commissioned by the Department. Profiles received through this call will be considered as part of the process of identifying Limpopo artists and potential artworks for the Provincial Theatre. Any subsequent acquisition, commissioning or contracting will be undertaken in accordance with the Department's approved procurement processes and applicable requirements. The Department reserves the right to verify information submitted, request additional information where required, and determine whether any submitted profile proceeds to a subsequent stage. The prescribed template must be used; any other template will be disqualified.

Phase 2 Functionality Compliance Criteria (total 100 points):

1. Artistic Quality & Technical Competence (25 points): quality, craftsmanship, originality, technical execution and professional standard. Scoring: no portfolio = 0; poor craftsmanship = 5; basic ability with inconsistent quality = 15; good-quality work = 25.
2. Relevance to Limpopo Cultural Heritage (20 points): ability to interpret or represent Limpopo's cultural heritage, identity, traditions, communities, landscapes, history or contemporary cultural experience. Scoring: no evidence = 0; little connection = 5; some generic elements = 10; clear and meaningful interpretation = 20.
3. Artist Experience & Track Record (20 points): experience in producing and completing artworks or sculptures, including commissioned or public works. Evidence: testimonials/reference letters. Scoring: no CV/evidence = 0; less than 1 year = 5; 1-3 years = 10; 4-7 years = 20.
4. Originality & Artistic Identity (20 points): distinctive artistic voice, creativity, authenticity and originality. Scoring: no assessable evidence = 0; generic/derivative = 5; some creativity but inconsistent = 10; strong originality = 20.
5. Professional Capacity & Reliability (15 points): ability to undertake commissions, meet deadlines, communicate professionally and supply required artwork and documentation. Scoring: no evidence = 0; insufficient evidence = 5; limited evidence = 10; good evidence = 15.

Minimum qualifying score: 70/100. Artists achieving the minimum score will be shortlisted or included in the approved artist pool.