Organisers of ART X Lagos, a West African international art fair, have begun accepting submissions from emerging Nigerian artists living in Nigeria.

The organisers say only artists who have practiced for at least five years are eligible to apply on its website.

Entries are open until June 15 while the winner will be declared at the end of June.

The contest, which is being organised in conjunction with Access Bank, is aimed at recognising and supporting the best of emerging Nigerian visual art talents.

The winner of the ART X Prize with Access will receive a ₦1 million grant towards an ambitious project or installation.

The winning project will also be exhibited in a solo presentation at ART X Lagos 2018.

The winning artist will additionally receive significant visibility, and invaluable opportunities for networking and mentoring.

Tokini Peterside, Founder & Director of ART X Lagos noted, “The ART X Prize with Access will give Nigeria’s most promising emerging artists the opportunity to further their careers, and to challenge the expectations of the global audience at ART X Lagos, which is comprised of collectors and visitors from significant institutions around the world.”

A jury of five renowned artists and industry stakeholders will adjudicate the ART X Prize with Access.

They include renowned experimental artist Bruce Onobrakpeya, Yinka Shonibare, Wura-Natasha Ogunji , Sokari Douglas-Camp and Oliver Enwonwu.

Launched in 2016, ART X Lagos is designed to showcase the best and most innovative contemporary art from the African continent and to widen Nigeria’s connection to the art scene across Africa and internationally.

Since its debut, ART X Lagos has welcomed over 15,000 visitors to see the works of Africa’s leading artists. The art fair has since become a cornerstone of the Lagos art calendar, drawing local patrons and a host of international collectors, curators, and critics annually.

Through its contribution to the increased visibility of African artists, ART X Lagos aims to reinforce the visual arts as an important component of the creative industry in Nigeria and Africa, thus positioning Lagos as an emergent cultural capital on the continent.