Applications Closed
We are pleased to announce that the Access ART X Prize 2023, an annual award for emerging artists in Africa and its diaspora, is now open for applications. Guest Artists Space Foundation will once again be hosting one of the winners in Lagos for a three-month residency in the lead-up to the 2024 edition of the fair. The Access ART X Prize awards early-career artists from Africa and its diaspora opportunities to develop their practices, with the intention of setting them up for the highest levels of success on the global stage.
Formerly only open to emerging Nigerian artists, the Prize has evolved to include an additional award for emerging artists from all of Africa and its Diaspora. The Nigeria Prizewinner undertakes a residency at Gasworks, London and the Africa/Diaspora Prizewinner undertakes a residency at Yinka Shonibare's G.A.S. Foundation in Lagos. Both artists are granted exhibitions at ART X Lagos supported by grants of $10,000 each towards their exhibitions.
The Prize has been judged each year by an esteemed panel that has included artists and cultural practitioners such as Ibrahim Mahama, Yinka Shonibare CBE, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya, Marie-Ann Yemsi, Sokari Douglas Camp CBE, Dr Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, Professor Peju Layiwola, Wura-Natasha Ogunji and Zina Saro-Wiwa. The winners of the Access ART X Prize 2022 edition are Dafe Oboro (Nigeria Prizewinner) and Belinda Kazeem-Kamiński (Africa/Diaspora Prizewinner). Other previous winners are Chigozie Obi (2021), Etinosa Yvonne (2019), Bolatito Aderemi-Ibitola (2018), Habeeb Andu (2017) and Patrick Akpojotor (2016).
2023 Prize Winnings
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$10,000 grant each towards an exhibition at ART X Lagos 2024
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3-month residency at Gasworks, London for the Nigerian Winner
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3-month residency at Yinka Shonibare’s G.A.S. Foundation, Lagos for the African/Diasporan winner
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Tailored mentorship support, and an opportunity for cultural exchange.
The Jury
We are honoured to work with the following industry experts as our Jury this year:
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Babajide Adeniyi-Jones | Documentary Photographer
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Barthélémy Toguo | Artist
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Daudi Karungi | Founder, Afriart Gallery
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Emeka Ogboh | Artist
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Gabi Ngcobo | Artist, Educator, and Curatorial Director of the Javett Art Centre
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Yesomi Umolu | Director of Curatorial Affairs and Public Practice for the Serpentine Galleries
The Curator
Jumoke Sanwo returns as the curator for the Access ART X Prize 2023. She is a storyteller, place maker and cultural producer who brings significant impact and guidance to this year’s finalists and ultimately, the Winners.
Who Should Apply?
A practising artist:
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of 3 years or more;
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not currently enrolled as an undergraduate student;
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not a previous winner or finalist of the ART X Prize; and
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For the Nigeria Award
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For the Africa/Diaspora Award
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who is a person of African descent, heritage or lineage, living and working in any African Country, or
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who identifies as a member of the African Diaspora globally.
How Can Artists Apply?
Eligible artists should visit artxlagos.com/prize for further information on the application process. Applications opened on September 20th 2023 and closed on October 18th 2023.
About ART X
ART X Collective creates platforms and experiences that celebrate, leverage and amplify Africa's culture. They work closely with exceptional creatives and cultural entrepreneurs who are seeking to develop energised, empowered and evolving identities for Africa and its people. They're inspired by their homes — Lagos, Nigeria and Africa — and love collaborating with people and brands who share their inspiration. The company was created by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, and their flagship platforms include ART X Lagos — the leading international art fair in West Africa; ART X Live! — a dynamic launchpad and accelerator for Africa’s fastest-rising musicians and visual artists; and the ART X Prize — an annual award for emerging artists across Africa and its Diaspora.
Visit artxlagos.com and @artxlagos on social media for more.
The Access ART X Prize was created by ART X Collective (the producers of ART X Lagos) and is sponsored by Access Corporation.