The Rele Arts Foundation has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its Young Contemporaries program, running from April 4 to May 2, 2025. Now in its ninth year, this program helps early-career African artists grow through mentorship, virtual bootcamps, residencies, and curated exhibitions.
Rele launched Young Contemporaries in 2016 to discover and develop emerging talent across Africa. The program offers hands-on training, professional development, and global exposure to help artists build lasting careers in contemporary art.
Participants join a two-week virtual bootcamp focused on critical thinking, international art practices, digital visibility, and proper handling of artwork. They also take part in a residency that encourages deep studio practice and sharpens their creative direction. The program ends with a major group exhibition that introduces their work to collectors, curators, and the public. This showcase acts as a launchpad, connecting artists to key networks in and beyond Africa’s art scene.
Since it began, Young Contemporaries has helped launch the careers of many well-known African artists. It stands out as one of the continent’s few platforms that offers ongoing mentorship and exhibition opportunities to young artists.
The Rele Arts Foundation, a non-profit, runs the program as part of its mission to support contemporary African art and connect it to global conversations. The foundation promotes bold expression, creative risk-taking, and art as a way to explore culture and drive social change.
Visit Rele Arts Foundation for more information.
