Absa L'Atelier 2026 Competition

About the Open Call

The competition is designed to support the long-term growth of emerging African visual artists by combining artistic recognition with career development. Artists from 12 eligible African countries compete within regional groups, with three overall “Absa L’Atelier Ambassadors” selected annually. Winners receive an extensive package including mentorships with established arts professionals, masterclasses focused on topics such as portfolio development, fundraising, media training, wellness, and studio practice, as well as an international residency programme in South Africa. The programme also includes the Gerard Sekoto Award, specifically for South African artists aged 25–35, offering a residency in Paris through collaboration with the French Institute of South Africa and the French Embassy. Winners may additionally receive support for solo exhibitions and opportunities to exhibit work internationally. The initiative strongly focuses on professional sustainability, artistic experimentation, and expanding the global visibility of contemporary African art.

What is Offered

Prizes, residencies, and exhibition opportunities.

Requirements

Applicants must be between 21 and 40 years old as of 31 March 2026. The competition is open to artists who are citizens or permanent residents of South Africa, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, or Zambia, and who currently reside in one of those countries. Final-year art students are eligible, alongside self-taught and professionally trained artists. Artists must submit a single portfolio consisting of four to five artworks; fewer than four submissions result in automatic disqualification. Any artwork partially or fully generated using AI is not eligible. Applicants are also expected to hold a valid passport for residency and exhibition travel if selected.

How to Apply

Register and apply through the official online portal at https://latelier.absa.africa/login