The race for Nigeria’s most anticipated art recognition has officially begun as the organisers of the 2016 National Art Competition (NAC) announced the call for entries under the theme “Shifting Boundaries.”

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Mr Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, explained that this year’s theme “is an exploration of the porous, situational, and ever-changing concept of boundaries through artworks that will discuss and embody what a boundary was, is, and will become in the 21st century.”

Sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc. and organised by the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), the competition aims to promote conceptual development in contemporary Nigerian art while raising awareness of relevant social issues through creative expression. Over the years, NAC has showcased emerging talents in diverse media, including painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, installation, and video art.

This year’s edition is open to artists working in all media. Participants are required to submit written proposals, accompanied by sketches and a brief plan, explaining their creative interpretation of the theme by the September 2016 deadline.

From the entries received, 12 finalists will be shortlisted and invited to a creative retreat at an exclusive location, where they will produce their final works for the NAC Grand Finale and Exhibition.

Artists are expected to create works that “reconcile, deconstruct, and develop ideas around the theme ‘Shifting Boundaries’,” focusing on issues relating to the nation, state, and society.

Ekanem revealed that renowned artist Professor El Anatsui will chair the artistic selection committee responsible for determining this year’s winners. The overall winner will receive ₦2 million and gain both national and international exposure, while the winners of Outstanding Production and Outstanding Concept will each receive ₦1 million.

Highlighting Nigerian Breweries’ long-term commitment to supporting creativity, Ekanem said, “This is part of our effort to encourage and promote the development of creativity, arts, and artists in Nigeria. Nigerian Breweries recognises that arts play an important role in strengthening cultural values in any society.”

He added that the company’s continued sponsorship of NAC forms “part of a broad initiative to support arts development in Nigeria, as well as the development of talents in various fields of endeavour.”

Also speaking at the event, Mr Azu Nwagbogu, Director of AAF, expressed pride in the legacy of the competition, saying, “We feel very proud that we’ve been able to create a legacy by building an institution that is a wonderful reference for emerging artists all over the country. The wonderful thing about NAC is that the artists who have been through the competition are making wonderful impact.”