Programme

A continuous artist-development cycle

LIMCAF is more than a competition. All year, the festival finds young artists, gives them a stage, and helps them build a practice.

01
Discover
Open calls, national submissions, artist outreach, regional jury review
02
Select
Finalists, Grand Finale, national exhibition, national jury, awards
03
Develop
Bootcamps, residencies, mentorship, international travel
04
Connect
Regional & legacy exhibitions, collectors, institutions, the public
05
Sustain
Partnerships, research, archives, institutional development

The Competition

The national open call for artists aged 18–35

Every year young artists across Nigeria answer a theme. Entries are exhibited at 18 regional centres, regional juries select the Top 100, and a national jury names the winners at the Grand Finale in Enugu.

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Workshops

Skill-building for young artists, school children and children living with disability

Practical sessions with mentors from the industry, school children's and art teachers' workshops, and disability-inclusive programmes in Abuja and Enugu.

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Bootcamp

Two weeks of mentorship for twelve finalists

Each year 12 outstanding finalists — six men, six women — spend two weeks with leading professionals on photography, portfolios, social media, client management and presentation.

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Residency

Six weeks to experiment, in Enugu

Six-week residencies give selected artists time, space and mentorship to develop new work — ending in a residency exhibition.

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Special Exhibitions

Legacy, Hall of Fame and curated showcases

Curated shows that bring LIMCAF alumni back into view — including the Legacy Exhibition of 28 past winners in Lagos and the Hall of Fame.

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Children & Inclusion

Art for every child

400+ school children and children living with disability reached through arts education and eight disability-inclusive workshops.

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