Call for Applications
Artists, artisans, designers & makers : Exhibit with Envie Gallery in South Africa
Application deadline: February 15, 2026
The vision of the prize
The Horizon Contemporary Prize is an international award launched by Art Confidential for Galerie Envie, a new art and contemporary objects gallery that will unfold in South Africa starting in 2026, with a series of curated pop-up exhibitions along the Garden Route, leading to the opening of a permanent space in 2027.
The prize aims to:
Discover contemporary artists and creators
Build a cultural bridge between the French and South African creative scenes
Promote a refined and sensitive vision of contemporary beauty
Offer real exhibition opportunities in vibrant and international contexts
There are no academic, fame, or career prerequisites — only the quality of the work and the relevance of the project will be considered.
The Horizon Contemporary Prize is structured around four categories, reflecting the diversity and porous boundaries of contemporary creative practices.
An open call welcoming all forms of visual and object-based creation, through four distinct categories:
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Painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, photography, digital art, and illustration
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Sculpture and small-scale installations. Works must be transportable and not require complex assembly or heavy technical equipment. Organisers reserve the right to decline works deemed too fragile, too large, or technically incompatible with the exhibition venues.
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Ceramics, collectible design, functional art, and crafted objects (one-of-a-kind or limited editions)
This category celebrates pieces with a strong artistic identity and high-quality craftsmanship in form, material, and finish. -
Open to individual creators, studios, or emerging brands established less than 5 years ago, in sectors such as:
fashion, interior decor, tableware, wellness & self-care, lifestyle accessories, and more.
Artwork transport & logistics
The logistics and transportation of the selected winners’ artworks will be fully coordinated by Art Confidential, in direct collaboration with each artist.
For South African-based creators, artworks can be received primarily in Cape Town, George, or Knysna. Depending on the projects and logistical constraints, collection from Johannesburg may also be considered.
Please note: artworks must be delivered to these cities at the artist’s own expense.
All logistical information is detailed in the official regulations.
A Franco–South African Multidisciplinary Jury
The Horizon Contemporary Prize is supported by a multidisciplinary jury of six art and design professionals, bringing together French and South African expertise.
It offers applicants the opportunity to present their work to an engaged panel of qualified professionals, actively involved in the contemporary creative scene.
Envie gallery
Envie is a new contemporary art gallery born from a dialogue between France and South Africa. It brings together artworks, design, and contemporary objects in an intimate, curated approach, inspired by the new wave of Parisian art spaces and grounded in South Africa’s vibrant creative energy.
Art Confidential
Art Confidential is one of France’s leading agencies dedicated to supporting contemporary artists. We develop exhibitions, residencies, talks, and partnerships with a wide range of cultural institutions, with the goal of increasing visibility for artists and supporting the diffusion and sale of their work.
The Horizon Contemporary Prize is organised by Art Confidential on behalf of Envie Gallery, as part of its mission to develop and structure international artistic projects.