Opportunities
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
What are you looking for today?
Powered by CopilotKit
Non-monetary (residency, exhibition, professional development)
The African Artists' Foundation (AAF) is a Lagos-based nonprofit arts organization that supports contemporary African artists through residency programs, exhibitions, competitions, and youth education. AAF provides professional development opportunities rather than direct grants. Key programs include the LagosPhoto Festival (international photography festival), the National Art Competition, artist residencies, and the Youth Empowerment through Contemporary Art (YECA) program.
Artist Residency Program
Accommodation and studio space for young emerging artists in Nigeria, particularly female artists, culminating with exhibition opportunity at AAF
LagosPhoto Festival
Annual international photography festival providing exhibition platform, professional visibility, and connection to global art networks
National Art Competition
Annual competition providing recognition and exhibition opportunities for Nigerian artists
Female Artists Development Project
Program advocating for women's rights through art, investing in female artists, designers, and women in Nigeria's arts and culture sectors
Youth Empowerment through Contemporary Art (YECA)
Art education program collaborating with schools in Lagos to address lack of creative education
Contemporary African Photography
Through the LagosPhoto Festival, AAF promotes contemporary photography from Africa and the diaspora as a medium for artistic expression and social commentary
Emerging Artist Development
Residency programs and mentorship to nurture young artists at the beginning of their careers
Women in the Arts
The Female Artists Development Project specifically supports and advocates for women artists, designers, and cultural workers in Nigeria
Art Education
YECA brings creative education to Lagos schools, addressing gaps in arts curriculum
Contemporary African artists with strong creative vision working across any medium. For residency programs, priority given to emerging Nigerian artists and especially female artists. AAF values boundary-breaking ideas and social engagement through art.
Exhibition opportunities, professional network access, visibility through LagosPhoto Festival and AAF platforms, connection to international art community.
Not a grant-making body — provides opportunities (residency, exhibition, education), not direct funding; Original ticket size ($5K-$30K) was misleading — AAF provides non-monetary support; Primarily Nigeria-focused despite Pan-African programming aspirations; Website URL was incorrect in original data (africartistsfoundation.org vs africanartists.org)
AAF is most valuable as a platform for artistic visibility and professional development, not as a funding source. The LagosPhoto Festival is internationally recognized and offers excellent exposure. The residency program is competitive but provides genuine studio time and exhibition opportunities. Best entry point for emerging female artists is the Female Artists Development Project.
2007
Active Since
Yes
Deploying
LagosPhoto Festival (annual since 2010); National Art Competition; Multiple artist residency cohorts