LIMCAF 2026 · 24–31 October 2026
Open Letter
The 2026 theme
“Open Letter is a metaphor that interrogates human existential situations. It addresses the ambivalence that characterises our actions and inactions, and implicates individual initiative and ingenuity to stand for something — about issues that could inspire change in the individual or community, impacting national consciousness.”
How the festival works
From open call to the national stage
01
Open call
Young artists across Nigeria submit work online in response to the theme.
02
Regional exhibitions
Entries are exhibited at 18 regional centres, July–August.
03
Selection
Regional juries select the Top 100 for the Grand Finale.
04
Grand Finale
A week-long national exhibition, fair, lectures and tours in Enugu.
05
Awards
A national jury names the winners at the Gala & Award Night.
What's on
The 2026 calendar
24
Oct
24–31 October 2026 · Enugu
Art & Craft Fair
Makers, collectors and the public meet during Grand Finale week. Artists and craftspeople can apply for a stand.
Apply for a stand
27
Oct
27–31 October 2026 · Enugu
LIMCAF 2026 Grand Finale
A week-long national exhibition of the Top 100+ artists from 18 regional centres, with an art and craft fair, lectures and cultural tours. Free to attend — register for your pass.
Get your free pass
31
Oct
31 October 2026 · Enugu
Gala & Award Night 2026
The winners of LIMCAF 2026 — including the Elder K.U. Kalu Prize for Young Artist of the Year — are announced on the closing night of the Grand Finale.
Register for the Gala
24 Oct
Art & Craft Fair24–31 October 2026 · Enugu
Upcoming27 Oct
LIMCAF 2026 Grand Finale27–31 October 2026 · Enugu
Upcoming31 Oct
Gala & Award Night 202631 October 2026 · Enugu
Upcoming
Prizes
Over ₦7.8 million in prizes — and a trip to Dakar
Open to young Nigerians, and to foreigners who have lived in Nigeria for up to five years, who will be no more than 35 years old on 31 October 2026. Female artists and artists living with disability are especially encouraged to apply.
Grand prize
- Elder K.U. Kalu Prize for Young Artist of the Year$2,000
El Anatsui Prize
- International travel to the Dakar Biennale, Senegal, for the top six artistsTravel
LIMCAF prizes
- Best Photography — Chinelo Chime Prize₦1,000,000
- Best Painting — Capt. Everest Odengene Prize₦1,000,000
- Best Watercolour — Tayo Adenaike Prize₦500,000
- Best Sculpture / Installation — Chief Alexander Oji Prize₦500,000
- Best Ceramics₦500,000
- Best Graphics / Digital / Video Art₦500,000
- Best Textile / Fashion Art₦500,000
- Best Drawing₦500,000
- Most Creative Female Artist₦500,000
- Best entry by an artist living with disability₦500,000
- Consolation prizes₦50,000 each
Endowed prizes
- Justice Aniagolu Prize for Originality₦300,000
- Stephen Bezalel Prize₦250,000
- Dr. Pius Okigbo Prize for Technical Proficiency₦200,000
- Mfon Usoro Prize for Best Entry from Uyo₦200,000
- Vin Martin Ilo Prize for Best Entry from Enugu₦200,000
- Chike Obeagu Prize for Best Collage₦200,000
- Lawrence Agada Prize₦200,000
- Agoreyo Armstrong Prize for Best Entry with Waste Paper₦150,000
- Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo Prize for Best Entry by a Special-Needs Artist₦150,000
Regional centres
18 cities, one festival
LIMCAF reaches emerging artists aged 18–35 in all six geopolitical zones through its network of regional centres and exhibitions.
See the map →- Enugu
- Abeokuta
- Abuja
- Awka
- Benin / Auchi
- Calabar
- Ibadan
- Ilorin
- Jalingo
- Jos
- Lagos
- Ondo
- Osun
- Owerri
- Port Harcourt
- Uyo
- Yola
- Zaria