As the leading and largest international fair on the African continent, Investec Cape Town Art Fair is proud to use its platform to highlight artistic voices at the forefront of creative discovery. Offering its largest prize selection yet, the fair recognises the artists making ground-breaking strides in global contemporary art.
The 2026 edition features two new awards, and three recurring prizes
- ORMS International Photography Prize
- Materiality Prize in partnership with Homo Faber, alongside three recurring prizes,
- Investec Emerging Artist Award
- Tomorrows/Today Prize supported by Fiera Milano Exhibitions Africa, and the
- RDC Acquisition Prize.
These prizes bolster extensive programming with organised events and unmissable cultural experiences taking place throughout the fair week. At the 13th edition, artworks are presented by an extraordinary selection of 126 exhibitors from 34 cities and 22 countries across 5 continents, including 490 artists.
ORMS International Photography Prize
The ORMS International Photography Prize launches for the first time at Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2026, celebrating excellence in contemporary photography.
Awarded to an exhibiting photographer from anywhere in the world, the prize recognises vision, craft and contribution to the photographic arts. The winner, selected by a jury and announced during the fair, will receive a cash prize together with a Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1100 printer, enabling the production of gallery-quality archival prints, in up to A2, that honour the integrity of each image.
Through this award, ORMS continues its commitment to supporting artists and photographers at every stage, while advancing photography’s place in the art landscape.
Materiality Prize in partnership with Homo Faber
Another inaugural prize at the 2026 edition is the Materiality Prize in partnership with Homo Faber, given to an exhibiting artist from anywhere in the world whose practice reflects innovative materiality, reimagined techniques, and contemporary artisanship.
The prize winner receives an invitation to participate in the Homo Faber Fellowship Masterclass in Venice, Italy, with flights, accommodation and general costs completely covered. The Homo Faber Fellowship is an eight-month international sponsored craft training programme designed for duos of master artisans and emerging talents. Participants develop business and marketing knowledge, as well as design and hands-on practical skills, through transmission from one generation to the next.
Homo Faber, presented by the Michelangelo Foundation, is a cultural movement centred on creative artisans. Its signature projects are education programmes for the next generations, an international biennial celebration and an online guide.
Tomorrows/Today Prize
The Tomorrows/Today Prize, supported by Fiera Milano Exhibitions Africa, is a cash prize awarded to the most exciting artist presentation within the Tomorrows/Today curated section. The annual winner of the prize is selected by an international jury, led by the section’s curator, Dr Mariella Franzoni.
The fair’s previous edition saw the cash prize being awarded to Agnes Essonti Luque, who exhibited with Barcelona-based The Over Gallery. A few months ago, Agnes shared some insight into her overall experience at Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025: “Participating was such an amazing experience. The public was super interested in experiencing my work at its fullest. I connected with many artists, projects and galleries. I’m sure it has definitely influenced other opportunities that I’m getting.”
Investec Emerging Artist Award
The Investec Emerging Artist Award was created to support emerging South African talent on the global stage. Now in its second year, the prize celebrates artists producing world-class art in South Africa, in any medium, who are not affiliated with an institution, museum, or collection.
Last edition, the Investec Emerging Artist Award was received by duo Xhanti Zwelendaba and Ben Stanwix, of RESERVOIR in Cape Town, who were recognised for their collaborative work, ‘Thaba Ncu’.
RDC Acquisition Prize
The RDC Acquisition Prize is awarded to the artist who aligns with the Group’s values and goals, and offers them the platform to be exhibited in one of the prominent landmark buildings of RDC’s portfolio. At Investec Cape Town Art Fair 2025, the prize was awarded to Ibrahim Khatab, who exhibited with Cape Town-based gallery Eclectica Contemporary.
The gallery’s director, Shamiela Tyer, discussed the celebrations which followed after Ibrahim received his prize at Investec Cape Town Art Fair. On the artist, she commented, “Ibrahim is not only an exceptional artist but also a remarkable human being, and it has been a privilege to represent and work alongside him. We are deeply grateful to the RDC for recognising the talent we have always seen in his practice.”
Investec Cape Town Art Fair looks forward to welcoming you to its 13th edition, taking place from 20 — 22 February 2026, with the VIP Preview and Vernissage on Thursday 19 February 2026, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
WHAT: Investec Cape Town Art Fair
WHERE: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC),
WHEN: 20 — 22 February 2026
BOOKING: HERE
INFO: VISIT
