The Mali Art Prize is SERE’s annual award dedicated to supporting young, Nigeria-based contemporary artists and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Africa.

“Mali” means “wealth” in Swahili  a meaning that sits at the heart of this initiative. The MALI Art Prize was born out of a desire to shift the lens through which African creativity is viewed, moving beyond outdated narratives to celebrate the richness, depth, and diversity of the visual culture emerging from Nigeria and the continent at large.

Prize: 1st Prize: $3,000 and exhibition, 2nd Prize: $1,500, 3rd Prize: $500

Deadline: June 3, 2026

Winners announced: July 8, 2026

Exhibition: October – November 2026

Eligibility Criteria

• Artists aged between 21 and 35
• Minimum of 3 years of practice
• Living and working in Nigeria
• Accepted mediums include painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and textiles. Excludes purely audio, video, time-based media, digital media, AI-generated media, installation or performance art.

Submission info & Link

About Organisation:  

1-98 Art Studio is a vibrant art space for young and emerging creatives in Lagos. Located in the iconic Fananda’s Tower on Lagos Island, a landmark of postcolonial architecture, the studio sits at the intersection of contemporary experimentation and cultural heritage.

Conceived as a dynamic incubator, 1-98 Art Studio fosters artistic growth through accessibility, sustainability, and intellectual exchange, offering an immersive environment where creative practice can thrive. The studio welcomes artists, curators, collectives, and the wider creative community to engage with its evolving programs. Follow us on social media for updates on residencies, artist highlights, and upcoming public programs.

About Organisation:  

Kuta Art Residency is an educational, in-person residency that brings together emerging artists from remote communities across Nigeria in Ogun State. The program provides a safe, supportive environment with access to art materials, mentorship, and educational resources. Over 4–12 weeks, residents develop their practices through thematic exploration and guidance from established artists. The residency culminates in exhibitions and public symposiums across Ogun State and neighbouring southwestern states. Rooted in cultural exchange and community engagement, Kuta Art Residency revitalises local cultural centres, centres youth as drivers of contemporary expression, and connects indigenous aesthetics to urgent social questions while imagining more inclusive artistic futures.

Open Call

The duration of each residency varies from person to person, they however typically range from two-weeks to as long as six months. Our Lagos location can house up to two residents at a time, while our Benin City location houses as many as twelve residents. Residency duration and provisions are typically agreed upon before the resident’s arrival.

We expect that our residents demonstrate eagerness in engaging specific cultural subjects and timely themes with far-reaching impacts. Our residencies are researched based and hope to provide our residents with a space in which they can hone their practice. As such, we do not require finished projects. Residents are however expected to close out their residency with a public presentation, hosted by Angels and Muse, in which they highlight their achievements during the residency. 

The research residency is ideal for artists, curators and writers who need time to continue work on an ongoing project or develop a new one provided they can demonstrate the research component of their work. The residency provides accommodation and a stipend to augment living expenses.

About Organisation 

Angels and Muse is a non-profit art organisation founded in 2018 by acclaimed artist and writer Victor Ehikhamenor to advance the frontiers of contemporary African art, literature, and cultural discourse. With a unique model that combines the rigour of an artist residency and the dynamism of a thought laboratory, Angels and Muse offers a diverse programme spanning workshops, mentorships, exhibitions, readings and talks to foster critical dialogue and support art practitioners in contemporary African art, literature and culture.

In 2024, Angels and Muse expanded to Benin City as part of our mission to foster artistic curiosity across Africa. We also maintain a strong community ethos, working closely with local artists, artisans, youth, and cultural custodians. At the same time, we remain globally connected, welcoming artists and intellectuals from across Africa and its diaspora to engage with the city’s rich cultural heritage and history.