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The MALI Art Prize was born out of a desire to shift the lens through which African creativity is viewed, moving beyond outdated narratives to celebrate the richness, depth, and diversity of the visual culture emerging from Nigeria and the continent at large.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.
