The Ventures Platform–YSMA Futures Art Award
Open: April 2 – May 18, 2026
About the Award
The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), in partnership with Ventures Platform, is pleased to announce the inaugural Ventures Platform–YSMA Futures Art Award—a first‑of‑its‑kind national commission supporting the creation of a permanent, public‑facing outdoor sculpture that explores how creativity and technology are shaping the future with the sum of N10m.
This landmark award invites artists to propose experiential, interactive, or innovation‑driven sculptures designed specifically for outdoor display on the Pan‑Atlantic University campus. The commissioned work should engage the public, respond to its environment, and spark meaningful reflection about the forces—technological, cultural, environmental, and social—reshaping our world.
Each year for the next three years, an artist or art collective will receive support to design, produce, and install a major outdoor artwork. The selected work will become part of YSMA’s growing public art landscape and will be experienced by students, researchers, visitors, and the wider community for years to come.
The award offers:
- Funding of N10m covering artist fees, fabrication, and installation of the work at the YSMA
- Full curatorial support from YSMA
- A permanent public site for the commissioned work
- Public programming opportunities around the unveiling
- Visibility through exhibitions, media features, and YSMA’s educational network
Rights & Ownership:
The commissioned artwork will become the permanent property of YSMA/Pan-Atlantic University. The artist retains moral rights and will be credited in all promotions. YSMA reserves the right to document and reproduce images of the work for educational and promotional purposes.
Theme & Creative Direction
Applicants are invited to propose works that respond to the broad theme of “Reimagine the future. Build it in form. Share it with the world.” Interpretations of the theme are open and interdisciplinary. Proposals may explore, but are not limited to:
- Technology and society
- Artificial intelligence and human experience
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Urban futures and sustainability
- Digital culture and identity
- The social impact of emerging technologies in Nigeria and Africa
Works must be engineered for long-term durability in an outdoor Nigerian environment (sun, humidity, heavy rains, wind all in consideration).
Eligibility
- Open to individual Nigerian and non-Nigerian artists or art collectives legally based and able to work in Nigeria.
- Applicants must demonstrate proven capacity to deliver large-scale outdoor sculptural projects within budget and timeline.
- Emerging, mid-career, and established artists are all encouraged to apply.
Submission Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Project Proposal (max. 1,000 words): Describe your concept in detail, including how it responds to the theme “Reimagine the future. Build it in form. Share it with the world.”, its experiential/interactive elements (if any), target audience engagement, and artistic intent.
- Concept Sketches / Visualisations: Up to 5 high-resolution images or renderings (include captions with title, medium, approximate dimensions, and viewing angles).
- Artist CV: Highlight relevant experience with large-scale, outdoor, public, or technology-related works.
- Portfolio or Documentation of Previous Work: 8–15 high-quality images of past projects (especially public/outdoor/sculptural works). For each image, provide: title, year, medium, dimensions, location (if installed), and a short description (1–2 sentences)
- Preliminary Budget Breakdown: Outline how the N10m would be allocated (artist fee, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, contingencies, etc.)
Technical Notes
- Submit as PDF for text documents (max file size per upload: check form limits).
- Images: JPEG or PDF, minimum 300 dpi for prints, clearly labelled with your name and project title.
- Total submission should not exceed any limits specified in the form.
- Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a joint committee of:
- YSMA curator and technical staff
- External experts in art, technology, architecture, or engineering
- Ventures Platform nominees
Shortlisted artists may be contacted for interviews or further clarification. The winner will be announced in June 2026, with installation and unveiling planned for later in the year.
How to Apply
All submissions must be made online through the museum’s website.
Link for application: https://forms.gle/ajpFGD9s7HijcgeX6
Application opens: April 2, 2026
Application closes: 11.59pm May 18, 2026
Project Timelines:
- Application: April 2 – May 18, 2026
- Jury Review Period: May 19 – June 12, 2026
- Notification of the winner: June 13
- Announcement of winner and Award in Lagos: June 19
- Production and Installation of the work by the winner: June 20 – October 21, 2026 (4 months)
- Public Unveiling/Presentation of the work by Ventures Platform and YSMA: October 28
About the Partners
Ventures Platform (VP) is a leading seed-stage venture capital firm in Africa that discovers and invests in category-leading, market-creating innovations and supports them to scale.
The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) at Pan‑Atlantic University is Nigeria’s first purpose‑built university art museum, dedicated to public engagement, education, and expanding access to art across communities.
Enquiries
For questions or further information, please contact:
YSMA Project &
Public Programmes Office
Email: ysma@pau.edu.ng
Phone: +234 913 601 2439