Description:
The Absa L’Atelier art competition is one of Africa’s most prestigious art competitions, and 2019 sees the 34th iteration of the competition. The Absa L’Atelier art competition rewards young visual artists, aged 21 to 40, with the opportunity to develop their talents abroad. This is clearly evidenced by the previous winners and the benefits and experience they attained by participating.
Number of Awards: 4
Target group:
Open for citizens of South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Botswana, Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Tanzania, Nigeria or Namibia.
Award Benefits:
Four prizes will be awarde in 2019. The main prize for the winner of each Group; and the Gerard Sekoto Award for a South African.
Main prize; the Ambassadors from each of the three Group blocks receive:
A one-month residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, followed by a two-month residency in South Africa. While taking up their two-month residency in South Africa, the artists will enjoy a weekly art masterclass. A monthly stipend during their three-month residency. Coverage of all flights, travel-associated costs, and accommodation. All three Absa L’Atelier Ambassadors will take up their residency at the same time.
While in Paris, artists will have an opportunity to network with their peers and local galleries, while being granted free access to a number of museums and galleries. The exhibition will be documented in a printed catalogue. The winning artists’ exhibition will open in the Absa Gallery within a year after taking up their residency and the exhibition will then travel to each artist’s respective country.
Gerard Sekoto Award
The Alliance Française, the Institut Français d’Afrique du Sud, and the French Embassy in South Africa are sponsoring the Gerard Sekoto Award for the most promising South African artist who demonstrates continual growth in their work.This prize consists of a return-flight ticket to Paris, three months’ residence in the Cité Internationale des Arts, nationwide touring of exhibitions in France, and French language tutoring. The Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris residencies are made available by SANAVA
Eligibility:
The competition is open to all artists who are not younger than 21 and not older than 40 on 31 May 2019. In the case of art students, only students in their final year of study, who meet the age requirements, may participate.
Only artists who are citizens or have been granted permanent residency of a county listed above and are currently residing in one of these countries.
Application instructions:
Click on “Enter Now” button on the official page and follow instructions. To be the first to see latest opportunities, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
- All entry details of the artist and artwork must be submitted online
- All fields must be completed when submitting your entry
- Any field left blank will result in automatic disqualification of the entry
- You will be able to upload up to ten (10) images for each entry showcasing the portfolio of artworks
- Adjudication takes place on your online entry submission