The annual national arts competition, orgsnnized by the African Artists’ foundation this year focuses on ‘chronicles of a great nation at 50.’
Thus, participating Nigerian born artists would be required to chronicle Nigeria since independence capturing the good, bad and ugly moments.
The artist with the most creative and factual interpretation of striking moments of Nigeria will go home with some N1.5 million.
The competition is open to only visual arts entries. This includes video art, multimedia, painting, sculpture, installation, photography and new media.
Organizers told our arts correspondent that the purpose of this year’s theme is not just to preserve Nigeria’s moments in history since independence but a platform where artists would express their creativity and interpretation of Nigeria, as they see it.
Zainab Ashadu, assistant director/curator, African Artists’ Foundation said the platform is to encourage Nigerians to begin to appreciate and support arts more deeply because arts can be used as a tool to shape the society positively and spur development.
The grand prize would be N1.5 million, the first runner up would take home some N1 million. The second runner up would become N500, 000 richer, she said.
The competition is being sponsored by Nigerian Breweries with Bogobiri House, Dana Air, Alliance Francais, Goethe Institute and Transcorp Hilton as partners. Entries for the competition close on 15th June, 2010.
Explaining further, Mr. Vivian Nkem, the corporate social responsibility/public affairs manager, Nigeria Breweries Plc said, the sponsorship is a broad initiative to support arts in Nigeria.
“This year’s completion has no age restriction as it is open to all budding and emerging artists in Nigeria” he said, adding that “an intensive training workshop has also been incorporated for all participating artists. Some renowned local and foreign artists will be invited to deliver talks/lectures during the workshop. The idea is to facilitate the development of talents so that apart from the prizes they may win, they will also gain in terms of knowledge and skill.”
