This is an intense training bootcamp for young and emerging artists
The Young Contemporaries project which includes a bootcamp, residency and exhibition programme is dedicated to guiding and refining the work of early-career artists through a series of rigorous mentoring, residencies and exhibitions. Established in 2016, the YC project is committed to shaping the landscape of contemporary art in Africa through processes of nurturing and platforming that prioritise critical explorations of medium and narrative.
Since its inception, the Young Contemporaries program has gained prominence for showcasing some of the best artistic talents in Africa.
About the Bootcamp
The Bootcamp is a 2-week intensive virtual class with leading artists and curators from across the continent as facilitators and mentors. The campers learn critical thinking, exploring a global artistic practice, establishing a social media presence, and how to care for and handle artworks amongst other things
Successful bootcamp participants will then move on to be part of a one-month long residency program led by a notable international art critic and mentor.
Residency
In collaboration with the Curator of painting and sculpture at MoMA Dr. Ugochukwu-Smooth Nzewi and The Ekiti state government, the residency gives ground for collective and individual mentorship sessions with the artists in residence, these sessions in turn lead to the birth of elevated methods of thinking and exciting visual interpretation of artistic ideas.
Exhibition
After a final selection, we present the annual Young Contemporaries exhibition. The exhibition showcases the cumulative effect of the boot camp and time spent in residence.
About Rele Arts Foundation
The Rele Arts Foundation is a non-profit initiative that aims to engage and drive the practice and reception of contemporary art in Africa while exploring the role of art as a tool for social change and positive impact. With the implementation of several projects like The Young Contemporaries, Art Summit and Nigeria in Venice project and most recently The R2 Space, the Foundation has been instrumental in driving critical discourse, fostering interdisciplinary exchange and providing opportunities for experimental and collaborative artistic projects. The Rele Arts Foundation also focuses on situating contemporary African art practices in broader, international contexts as well as probing the possible futures of art-making and presentation in Africa. Exploring diverse modes of representation from traditional media to new, experimental media, we aim to foster new modes of social and cultural inquiry as well as promote transformative thinking and practice across artistic production.
Applications are open to artists from all over Africa starting April 5th to May 12th, 2023.
Sounds Interesting? Apply Here
