The National Arts Festival Experience Is Coming

The National Arts Festival Experience expands on our 48-year-old Festival to reignite the arts and bring performances closer to you than ever.

We are pleased to announce a return to the live stage in our home town with Makhanda Live! The heart of the National Arts Festival Experience, it’s an 11-day live festival that will be smaller and more intimate than before but also provide the ground zero to reignite the arts.

The Online National Arts Festival continues to bring exciting and accessible online work to audiences across the globe and we can also share that, for the first time ever, we are bringing works to towns and cities in South Africa with a limited selection of shows called Standard Bank Presents.

What To Expect

Navigating the National Arts Festival Experience

  • 7 June – National Arts Festival Experience Programme released
  • 17 June – July 4 – Standard Bank Presents live shows in cities
  • 8 – 18 July – National Arts Festival Makhanda Live
  • July – National Arts Festival Online

What You Can Look Forward To

The National Arts Festival Experience will deliver a programme with punch in times that are urgent, challenging and ever-changing. Be a part of this important moment of the arts in South Arica and make your bookings when the programme is announced on 7 June 2021.

The 2020 Standard Bank Young Artists will be performing live in Makhanda and on the Festival’s Amazing Stages programme

The Eastern Cape Showcase highlights the extraordinary talent of this culturally rich province – In Makhanda and elsewhere

The Standard Bank Jazz Festival is happening live and online, accessible across Africa and the world

The live Village Green returns in Makhanda

The 2021 Standard Bank Young Artists will be announce at the Festival in Makhanda

Massed choir Masicule will be performed in an outdoor setting in Makhanda

The Standard Bank Ovation Awards will be broadcast from Makhanda as the live Festival closes

Visit nationalartsfestival.co.za

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb