The 19th edition of the Life in My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) will conclude in October at the International Conference Centre of the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu. This year's edition, themed "Open Letter", has attracted 100 artists from across Nigeria who will compete for prizes worth over N60 million. The festival, founded in 2007 by Robert Orji, has become a platform for young artists to showcase their talents and launch their careers.
A panel of six art professionals, led by Chike Obeagu, has been appointed to select the winners from the final 100 artists. The panel includes Adiwu Talatu Onkala, Ugochukwu-Smooth C. Nzewi, Bella Anne C. Ndubuisi, Dotun Popoola, and Frank Omoh Agbiyoa Ugiomoh. Their task is to sift through the works that have survived the selection process in LIMCAF's regional centres. The panel's expertise spans contemporary art, art history, and curatorial practice.
The prizes at stake include the Elder Kalu Young Artist of the Year Prize, worth N2 million, and category prizes ranging from N500,000 to N1 million. The Chinelo Chime Prize for Best in Photography carries N1 million, while the prizes for painting, sculpture, drawing, and ceramics are worth N500,000 each. There are also prizes for specific categories, such as the Armstrong Agoreyo Prize for artwork made from waste paper.
LIMCAF's rewards extend beyond the prize money. One of the prizes is a two-week, all-expenses-paid trip to Dakar, Senegal, for the Dakar Art Biennale, or Dak'Art. There are also residencies and boot camps for selected artists. The festival's workshops take its activities to primary and secondary school children, with particular attention to those living with disabilities.
The festival has attracted a list of supporters over the years, including the Alliance Française network in Nigeria, the Institut Français, and the French Embassy. Other supporters include Rocana Nigeria Limited, the Pan African Circle of Artists, and Honeywell Group. The prizes themselves have attracted endowments and special donations from individuals and organisations.
LIMCAF has a track record of launching the careers of successful artists. Several past overall and category prize winners have gone on to establish themselves on the Nigerian visual arts scene. The festival's founder, Robert Orji, started LIMCAF in 2007 as a competition for young artists. This year's finalists will meet in Enugu in October, as LIMCAF looks forward to its 20th edition next year.
The festival's impact extends beyond the art world. LIMCAF's activities have contributed to the development of Nigeria's creative sector, providing opportunities for young artists to showcase their talents and connect with the global art community. As the festival continues to grow and evolve, it remains a key platform for investing in the next generation of Nigerian artists.
Key points
- Over N60 million in prizes to be awarded at LIMCAF grand finale
- LIMCAF provides opportunities for young artists to launch their careers
- Festival's 20th edition to take place next year
