The Guest Artists Space Foundation (G.A.S.), in collaboration with the Yinka Shonibare Foundation (Y.S.F.), has announced its 2025 G.A.S. Fellowship Award, a prestigious opportunity designed to nurture mid-career art practitioners across Africa.
This edition offers two fully funded six-week residencies in Lagos, aimed at empowering one visual fine artist and one curator. The programme promises a fertile environment for artistic exploration, curatorial innovation, and meaningful engagement with Lagos’s vibrant cultural ecosystem.
Scheduled as part of Project Nexus, a visionary three-year initiative supported by Deutsche Bank, the residencies reflect G.A.S. and Y.S.F.’s unwavering commitment to fostering artistic excellence and cross-cultural dialogue. Through workshops, residencies, and educational programmes, Project Nexus seeks to strengthen the professional development of Africa’s art community while promoting global cultural exchange.
Residency 1: Visual Fine Artist (5 May – 14 June 2025)
The first residency invites mid-career visual fine artists whose work actively engages communities and fosters intercultural dialogue. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that emphasize collaboration, shared learning, and innovative artistic practices.
The selected artist will not only advance their creative pursuits but also play a crucial role in the Ìmòra Arts Intensive, a week-long professional development programme designed to mentor and inspire emerging talents in Lagos.
During the intensive, the fellow will deliver workshops, masterclasses, or artist talks, enriching the next generation of creatives with valuable insights. By fostering co-creation and mentorship, this residency underscores the pivotal role of artists in shaping inclusive and dynamic cultural spaces.
Residency 2: Curator (16 June – 25 July 2025)
The second residency offers an unparalleled opportunity for curators to deepen their practice within a richly diverse artistic landscape. Applicants are expected to propose a curatorial concept that will be developed and realized during the residency. The final project, which may take the form of an exhibition or curatorial intervention, will be showcased at G.A.S. Lagos from 21 July to 15 August 2025.
This curatorial residency emphasizes sensitivity to Lagos’s cultural vibrancy and a commitment to audience engagement. By encouraging curators to rethink traditional exhibition models, it aims to foster a more inclusive and participatory art experience.
Comprehensive Support for Awardees
Each fellow will receive:
- A £1,750 travel allowance covering flights, visas, and insurance
- A £1,000 honorarium to acknowledge their contributions
- A £1,000 living stipend for daily expenses
- A materials budget: £250 for artists and £900 for curators
- Private, en-suite accommodation with access to shared studio spaces, the G.A.S. Library, and the Picton Archive
- Ongoing production and pastoral support, including access to transport and security services
The G.A.S. Fellowship Award 2025 provides mid-career artists and curators with a unique opportunity to focus on their work while fostering long-term cultural impact through mentorship and exhibitions. By bridging global and local art practices, the fellowship strengthens Lagos’s position as a vibrant hub for contemporary art. Through strategic partnerships and visionary programmes, it plays a vital role in sustaining the momentum of African art on the global stage.
