With the annual youth-focused art, Life in My City Art Festival, LIMCAF, about to breast the tape of its 18th year, the future of Nigerian art has never looked brighter. Its theme for this year – “Can We Breathe?” – poses a poignant question that resonates deeply within the souls of Nigeria’s young artists. Like a clarion call, it beckons them to unleash their imagination, dare to dream, and breathe life into their most audacious visions.
The prospect is staggering: over ₦60 million in prizes awaits the best across various categories! The stakes are high, but the promise of artistic glory beckons, its allure irresistible to those who dare to dream. The competition section, revamped and rejuvenated, now boasts additional categories and more substantial rewards, setting the stage for a dazzling display of innovation and skill.
Beginning with the prestigious Elder Kalu Young Artist of the Year Prize, generously sponsored by the family of the late Elder Kalu Uke Kalu, a revered former LIMCAF chairman, the award has been substantially elevated to the naira equivalent of USD 2000, cementing its stature as the foremost prize.
Then, there is a constellation of category prizes, which celebrates exceptional artistry across various mediums. The Chinelo Chime Prize for Photography and awards for Painting, Sculpture, Drawing, and Ceramics—each valued at ₦500,000—honour mastery and creativity.
Added to these are new prizes, which push boundaries. The one, Armstrong Agoreyo Prize reimagines wastepaper as art, while the other, the Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo Prize, shines light on exceptional talent among artists with disabilities. Through these awards, LIMCAF fosters innovation, inclusivity, and artistic excellence.
LIMCAF’s legacy also includes offering an impactful way to immortalize loved ones and heroes through endowed prizes. The Justice Anthony Aniagolu Prize and the Dr. Pius Okigbo Prize are testaments to this tradition, honouring extraordinary inventiveness and technical proficiency, respectively. Across Nigeria, a network of generosity is woven, as individuals and families empower young artists through regional prizes. These visionaries are igniting a creative spark, fostering community and growth. The Mfon Usoro Prize, for instance, beams the spotlight on Uyo’s brightest talents, while the VinMartins Ilo Prize celebrates Enugu’s emerging artists, providing a platform for them to dazzle and inspire.
Beyond the prestige of its prizes, LIMCAF nurtures creative potential through transformative training initiatives. Immersive residencies and intensive boot camps unfold as incubators of innovation, equipping young visionaries with the artisan’s toolkit, expert mentorship, and the courage to soar. As they embark on this journey, LIMCAF empowers them to navigate the vagaries of the art world, where creativity knows no borders and talent can flourish on the global stage.
In a daring leap, LIMCAF shatters borders, welcoming Nigerian artists and international creatives who have made Nigeria their home for at least five years. The stage is thus set for a kaleidoscope of artistic voices, as talents aged 35 and under converge to generate a wide range of expressions.
The submission window swings open, inviting entrants to take the leap with a nominal fee of N5,000, until May 31.
As an advocate for equality and diversity, LIMCAF cultivates an environment that welcomes up-and-coming talent from all around Nigeria, regardless of gender. Special prize offerings are made to honour female artists in particular. However, LIMCAF’s dedication to empowerment goes beyond that. By holding training seminars
As an advocate for equality and diversity, LIMCAF cultivates an environment that welcomes up-and-coming talent from all around Nigeria, regardless of gender. Special prize offerings are made to honour female artists in particular. However, LIMCAF’s dedication to empowerment goes beyond that. By holding training seminars for elementary and secondary school students, especially those with impairments, the organisation reaches out to the younger generation. These workshops, which were successfully conducted in Abuja and Enugu, show how committed LIMCAF is to fostering artistic potential and opening doors for a more promising and inclusive future.
Finally, the addition of three industry leaders to LIMCAF’s Board of Trustees marks a major advancement in the organisation’s development. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-based Professor Jerry Buhari, a renowned scholar in fine art, contributes his extensive knowledge; Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, a Lagos-based versatile filmmaker and curator, infuses creative life; and Barbara Kalu, Executive Vice President of Argus Media, contributes her experience in international markets. When combined, they put LIMCAF in a position to spur innovation, broaden its audience, and improve the lives of ambitious young artists.
