Organizer Information
The Absa Group Limited is one of Africa’s largest financial institutions and a long-standing supporter of contemporary visual arts across the continent. Through the prestigious Absa L’Atelier competition, Absa collaborates with the South African National Association for the Visual Arts (SANAVA), IFAS, and the French Embassy in South Africa to provide emerging and mid-career artists with professional development opportunities, mentorship, international residencies, exhibitions, and industry visibility.
The Absa L’Atelier programme has become one of the most recognized contemporary art competitions in Africa, helping artists strengthen their professional practice while connecting them with curators, collectors, institutions, and international cultural networks. The initiative emphasises long-term career growth through mentorship, public exhibitions, masterclasses, and cross-border exchange opportunities.
The 2026 edition continues this mission by offering artists from twelve African countries the chance to compete for major professional development prizes, international residencies, solo exhibitions, mentorship programmes, and financial support.
Title & Description
Absa L’Atelier 2026 International Visual Arts Competition
The Absa L’Atelier 2026 competition invites emerging and established visual artists from across Africa to apply for one of the continent’s leading contemporary art awards and residency programmes. Designed to support artistic growth, professional development, and international visibility, the competition provides selected winners with access to mentorship, international residencies, exhibitions, networking opportunities, and industry-focused training.
Artists from twelve eligible African countries will compete within randomised regional groups. Entrants must submit a portfolio consisting of four to five original artworks completed within the twelve months preceding the application deadline. The competition is open to artists working across multiple visual art disciplines, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and digital art practices.
Three artists will be selected as Absa L’Atelier Ambassadors, each receiving a substantial package of professional development opportunities including mentorships, international residencies, masterclasses, networking opportunities, and solo exhibition support.
In addition to the main awards, the programme also includes the Gerard Sekoto Award, dedicated to a South African artist aged 25–35 who demonstrates continued artistic growth and commitment to professional practice. This award includes a residency in Paris at the Cité Internationale des Arts, travel support, a daily stipend, and a future solo exhibition in Johannesburg.
The programme strongly focuses on career sustainability, artistic entrepreneurship, mental wellness, legal literacy, fundraising, portfolio development, negotiation skills, and digital visibility within the contemporary art ecosystem. Winners will also engage with international mentors, curators, and arts professionals while developing new bodies of work for exhibitions and public presentation.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Digital Art
- Contemporary Art
- Mixed Media
- Drawing
- Fine Arts
- Professional Practice
- Artist Residency
- Exhibition
- NFT / Digital Practice
Eligibility
- Open to artists aged between 21 and 40 years old by 31 March 2026.
- Open to citizens or permanent residents of:
- South Africa
- Kenya
- Zambia
- Ghana
- Botswana
- Uganda
- Mozambique
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
- Tanzania
- Nigeria
- Namibia
- Applicants must permanently reside in one of the eligible countries.
- Final-year art students meeting the age requirements may apply.
- Both formally trained and self-taught artists are eligible.
- Artists may submit only one application.
- Entries must include a portfolio of 4–5 original artworks completed within the previous 12 months.
- No collaborative works are accepted.
- All entrants must possess a valid passport valid through December 2026.
- Submitted works must be exhibition-ready.
The Gerard Sekoto Award is specifically open to South African artists aged 25–35 who demonstrate ongoing professional development and artistic growth.
Program Benefits & Awards
Main Prize – Absa L’Atelier Ambassadors
Each of the three winning Ambassadors will receive:
Professional Development
- Eleven two-hour masterclasses with international industry professionals
- Training in:
- Financial management
- Mental wellness
- Legal literacy
- Media training
- Fundraising
- Portfolio building
- Negotiation skills
- Artist branding
- NFT development
- Residency preparation
Mentorship & Residency
- Four-month mentorship programme with a leading arts professional
- Two-month residency at Kromdraai Impact Hub in South Africa (May–July 2027)
- Opportunities to produce NFT-compatible artworks
- Participation in a pop-up exhibition during the residency
Exhibition Support
- Opportunity for a solo exhibition by 2028
- Up to R100,000 production/material support for the exhibition
- Exhibition hosted either at the Absa Gallery or partner venues
Equipment & Visibility
- New laptop with Microsoft Office package
- International exposure through Absa’s arts network
- Public exhibitions and promotional opportunities
Gerard Sekoto Award
- Three-month residency at Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, France
- Return airfare from South Africa to France
- Daily stipend during residency
- Solo exhibition in Johannesburg in 2028
- Up to R100,000 exhibition production support
- Three professional development masterclasses
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online registration form
- Personal information
- Portfolio containing 4–5 artworks
- Artwork documentation
- CV or professional background information
- Valid passport information
- Supporting artwork details
For the Gerard Sekoto Award, applicants are additionally assessed on artistic development and professional trajectory through their CV and exhibition history.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
- Residency Programmes: May–July 2027
- Mentorship Programme: June–September 2027
- Solo Exhibitions: By 2028
- Residency Dates:
- Absa L’Atelier Residency: 11 May – 11 July 2027
- Gerard Sekoto Residency: April – June 2027
Location
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Paris, France
Additional Details
The Absa L’Atelier competition places strong emphasis on artistic professionalism and long-term career sustainability. Beyond traditional prize structures, the initiative focuses on equipping artists with practical industry knowledge and sustainable career tools.
The competition does not accept:
- Installation artworks
- Video works
- Performance art
- AI-generated artworks
- Collaborative works
All submitted works must be available for exhibition and sale for up to nine months following submission.
Adjudication is conducted by independent panels of experts specializing in painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital practices, and contemporary African art discourse. Evaluation criteria include technical quality, conceptual depth, originality, artistic vision, and professional development potential.
Winners are required to participate fully in all residency, mentorship, exhibition, and promotional activities connected to the prize structure.