Art X Lagos Partners Access Bank for Emerging Artists Prize

By Nseobong Okon-Ekong

In a bid to recognise and support the best of emerging Nigerian visual art talent. Art X Lagos, West Africa’s foremost art fair, in conjunction with Access Bank, has established the ‘Art X Prize with Access’.

The winner of the ART X Prize with Access will receive ₦1million grant towards an ambitious project or installation by the artist, which will be exhibited in a solo presentation at ART X Lagos 2018. The winning artist will additionally receive significant visibility, and invaluable opportunities for networking and mentoring.

Access Bank’s collaboration with ART X Lagos, and sponsorship of the ART X Prize with Access, is a partnership that will provide vital professional development for a new generation of Nigerian artists, and celebrate and empower emerging talent.

Tokini Peterside, Founder & Director of ART X Lagos, said, “We are delighted to have the support of Access Bank for this initiative which will enable us to support ambitious emerging artists in Nigeria, who are at pivotal stages in their careers. The ART X Prize with Access will give Nigeria’s most promising emerging artists the opportunity to further their careers, and to challenge the expectations of the global audience at ART X Lagos, which is comprised of collectors and visitors from significant institutions around the world.”

The ART X Prize with Access will be adjudicated by a jury of five renowned artists and industry stakeholders including Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya, Yinka Shonibare MBE, Wura-Natasha Ogunji, Sokari Douglas-Camp and Oliver Enwonwu.

Artists for the contest must be domiciled in Nigeria and have practised as artists for at least five years. Applications will open until June 15.