LIMCAF eyes bigger, breathtaking edition

 

LIMCAF eyes bigger, breathtaking edition

By Ozolua Uhakheme

Assistant Editor (Arts)

For sustaining the tempo of the annual youth-focused art meet since 2007, the Life in My City Art Festival’s organisers deserve special plaudits. This is all the more reason why the recent announcement of the 18th edition of the event, often called by its acronym, LIMCAF, should elicit the interest of the visual arts community. Moreover, its enduring run and staying power despite all challenges are truly remarkable.

This year’s edition, themed “Can We Breathe?”, promises a bigger, bolder, and more breathtaking outing than ever, showcasing an incredible array of artistic talent and creativity. Its announcement of over 60 million naira in prizes across various categories will undoubtedly thrill its fans. The festival, which inherently also features a competition, has seen a significant boost in existing prizes, alongside the introduction of new ones.

Notably, the top prize, now known as the Elder Kalu Young Artist of the Year Prize, has been increased to the naira equivalent of USD 2000. This prestigious award is sponsored by the family of the late Elder Kalu Uke Kalu, former LIMCAF chairman.

In addition to the top prize, various category prizes are awarded for exceptional entries in visual arts categories, including photography, drawing, digital art, and more. Prizes range from ₦500,000 to ₦1 million, with opportunities for sponsorship. Leading these prizes is the Chinelo Chime Prize for Best in Photography, worth N1 million. Category prizes in painting, sculpture, drawing and ceramics follow, each valued at N500,000.

New category prizes have been introduced, including the Armstrong Agoreyo prize for Best entry in artwork using wastepaper as a medium and the Kanyeyachukwu Tagbo prize for Best entry by a person living with a disability.

LIMCAF also offers prizes that allow individuals, families, and organisations to honour notable persons, organisations, or achievements. Current endowments include the Justice Anthony Aniagolu Prize for Originality and the Dr. Pius Okigbo Prize for Technical Proficiency.

Regional prizes, endowed by individuals, encourage young artists in specific geographic areas to pursue their passion. Current regional prizes include the Mfon Usoro Prize for Best Entry from Uyo Centre and the VinMartins Ilo Prize for Best Entry from Enugu.

Beyond the cash prizes, LIMCAF offers training opportunities, including residencies and boot camps, to foster artistic growth and empower young artists to operate in the national and international art space. These initiatives provide young artists with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the competitive art world.

LIMCAF has, meanwhile, expanded its reach, inviting Nigerian artists and foreign artists resident within Nigeria’s borders, aged 35 and below, to participate in its latest edition. This deliberate broadening of eligibility aims to ignite a kaleidoscope of artistic expressions, as diverse voices converge to create a richly layered narrative. Hence, submissions are now open and will be accepted until May 31.

A nominal entry fee of N5,000 unlocks the opportunity to showcase creative talent. The festival’s theme, Can We Breathe?”, resonates deeply, echoing through the corridors of collective conscience. It challenges artists to confront the suffocating grip of environmental crises, societal constraints, and global inequality. Innovative solutions will emerge as young artists channel their creativity, illuminating a beacon of hope in a world yearning to breathe.

In its ongoing efforts to reinvent itself, LIMCAF also announced the appointment of new members to its Board of Trustees, including Executive Vice President (Middle East, India Subcontinent and Africa) for Argus Media Ms. Barbara Kalu, the award Winning film maker and multicultural artist and curator of local and international experience Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, and the renowned professor of fine art, curator and scholar of the Department of Fine Art, Ahmadu Bello University. Zaria, Professor Jerry Buhari. These strategic appointments stand it in good stead to drive innovation and expand its portfolio of activities, ultimately enriching the lives of aspiring young artists.

In line with its inclusive mission, LIMCAF proudly encourages diversity, offering equal participation opportunities for male and female emerging talents nationwide, as well as special prize offerings for females only. In addition, LIMCAF provides training for the younger generation through workshops for primary and secondary school children, particularly those living with disabilities. Over the past couple of years, such workshops have been successfully held in Abuja and Enugu.