Absa L'Atelier Arts Competition 2024: Fully-Funded Opportunity for Young African Artists in Paris, France

 L'Atelier stands as one of Africa's highly esteemed art competitions, recognized for its prestige. It grants aspiring visual artists between the ages of 21 and 35 a remarkable chance to nurture their talents internationally. One can gain insight into the significance of this competition by exploring the list of past laureates.

Application Deadline: May 31, 2023, at 16:00 (Central African Time - CAT)

Countries Eligible for Application: The competition is open to artists who are citizens or have been granted permanent residency in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Botswana, Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Tanzania, Nigeria, or Namibia. Applicants must currently reside in one of these countries. The prize includes airfare to the Absa Gallery and the residency in France or South Africa, and it is exclusively available to participants from the aforementioned countries.

Award Overview: Leveraging the foundation laid in the previous two years, this competition is extending its reach across Africa, encompassing several countries where Barclays Africa maintains a presence.

The L'Atelier competition offers a significant opportunity for approximately 100 emerging artists annually to showcase their artwork through exhibitions at the esteemed Absa Gallery in Johannesburg, South Africa. Furthermore, their works are featured in a highly sought-after catalogue, providing valuable documentation and exposure.

Competition Format:

The Absa L'Atelier art competition follows a specific format, involving the participation of 12 qualifying countries. These countries are randomly divided into three groups, with each group consisting of four countries.

Artists within each group compete against one another, and there is no competition between the three groups. Artists are required to submit a single entry, which should include a portfolio comprising a minimum of four and a maximum of five artworks. Failure to comply with this requirement by submitting less than four or more than five artworks will result in immediate disqualification.

Each group of four countries will have a distinct panel of adjudicators responsible for evaluating the artworks. From each group, one winner will be selected, resulting in three winners overall—one from Group A, one from Group B, and one from Group C.

Absa will then transport the entered artwork from each group winner to the Absa Gallery located in Johannesburg, South Africa. These winning artworks, alongside the recipient of the Gerard Sekoto Award, will collectively form the final exhibition.

The winners from each group will be recognized as Absa L'Atelier Ambassadors.

Entry Guidelines:

- Each artist is allowed to submit a single entry.

- The entry must consist of a portfolio of artworks, comprising a minimum of four and a maximum of five different pieces.

- Adjudication is based on the submitted entry, which includes the portfolio of artworks.

- All entries must be submitted through the designated online portal.

- Late submissions will not be accepted.

- Adjudication is conducted via the online portal.

- Up to 10 images showcasing the artist's entry can be uploaded.

- During online registration and artwork upload, it is crucial to complete all required fields. Failure to do so will result in disqualification of the entry.

- Artists between the ages of 21 and 40 are eligible to enter the competition.

- Previous entrants are required to register again on the portal.

Eligibility:

- The competition welcomes artists who are at least 21 years old and no older than 40 as of March 2023. Art students can participate if they are in their final year of study and meet the age requirements.

- All prize winners are required to accept the prize (residency) within the specified dates provided in the entry details.

- Only artists who hold citizenship or permanent residency in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Ghana, Botswana, Uganda, Mozambique, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Tanzania, Nigeria, or Namibia, and currently reside in one of these countries, are eligible to enter the competition. The airfare to the Absa Gallery and the residency in either France or South Africa are included as part of the prize and are limited to participants from the aforementioned countries.

- Accurate and complete information must be provided during the online registration process. Failure to provide complete information will result in automatic disqualification.

Selection Criteria:

The adjudication process, conducted at both regional and national levels, is based on specific criteria. These criteria include the technical execution of the artwork, the level of conceptual and thematic engagement, the originality of the artistic vision within the context of African contemporary art, and, notably, the aesthetic appeal of the artwork. These elements collectively contribute to the assessment and evaluation of the entries.

Value of Award:

The competition offers a total of four prizes. The main prize is awarded to the winner from each group, while the Gerard Sekoto Award is specifically dedicated to a South African participant who demonstrates continuous growth in their artistic production. These prizes recognize and celebrate exceptional talent and achievement within the competition.

Competition terms and conditions:

The Absa L'Atelier places great emphasis on supporting artists in various aspects of their artistic journey. In recent years, the competition has focused on providing valuable support to artists in order to enhance their brand, imparting essential skills that contribute to their career development. The competition aims to offer artists opportunities to expand their network, foster collaborations, and strengthen their artistic practices. Furthermore, the competition provides a unique platform that strategically positions artists within the visual arts landscape. The focus is not solely on providing a substantial monetary reward but rather equipping artists with the necessary skills to flourish and adapt in an ever-evolving world.