The Directorate of Art and Culture, Nagaland has informed that the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has invited applications for the Young Talent Artistes Award 2026–27 from outstanding young artistes and artisans of the eight Northeastern states.

The award is open to candidates in the fields of Folk and Tribal Music, Song and Dance, Theatre, Drama, Mime, Painting, Wood, Cane and Bamboo Crafts, Traditional Handloom and Handicrafts, Pottery and other traditional art forms.

Applicants must be Indian citizens indigenous to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim or Tripura, and should be between 18 and 30 years of age as on March 31, 2026. Candidates who have previously received State or National awards in the same field are not eligible.

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The award carries a cash prize of ₹20,000, along with a citation and memento.

Application forms can be obtained from the Directorate of Art and Culture/Cultural Affairs of the respective states, Shilpgram, Panjabari, Guwahati, the NEZCC Headquarters in Dimapur, or downloaded from the NEZCC website  https://nezccindia.org.in/Home/Advertisement

The respective State Departments will screen the applications before forwarding shortlisted candidates to NEZCC. The last date for receipt of shortlisted applications at the NEZCC office is August 31, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be entertained.