The Absa L’Atelier competition 2025

Opportunity type:  Competition

For: Visual artists

Deadline: 31/05/2025

Rewards: Laptop, Residency, Exhibition, production costs (R100,000)

Location Eligibility: Worldwide

About this opportunity 

The Absa L’Atelier competition, through its prizes, focuses on how best to support the artist in growing their brand and in equipping artists with the relevant skills needed to build their careers. The Absa L’Atelier also gives artists opportunities to build their network and collaborate in their art practice, while providing them with an unique platform that would best position them within the visual arts industry.

Format of the competition

• There are 12 countries that qualify to take part in the Absa L’Atelier (Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia).

• After the entry closing date, the 12 countries are randomly divided into three groups of four countries each.

• Artists within each group compete against each other.

• There is no competition among the three groups – artists compete within each group only.

• Artists are required to submit one entry which consists of a portfolio of work of a minimum of four and a maximum of five artworks.

• Submission of less than four and more than five artworks will result in the artist’s immediate disqualification.

• Each group of four countries will have a different group of adjudicators.

• A single winner will be selected from each of the three groups of four countries (i.e one winner from Group A, one winner from Group B, and one winner from Group C.)

• Absa will have the right to exhibit artwork from each of the group winners post the announcement of the winners.

Rewards

1. A new laptop or equivalent with Windows and an MS Office package installed.
2. A total of 11 two-hour online masterclasses from leading global authorities over a three-month period.
3. A four-month mentorship with a leading authority in the visual arts from their respective country.
4. The year after being awarded the prize, a concurrent two-month international residency with the Kromdraai Impact Hub in South Africa.
5. The option to host a solo exhibition within two years of winning the award and up to R100 000 for material costs towards the exhibition.

Eligibility

• Open to artists from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
• All entrants must possess a valid passport at the time of entering the competition.
• The competition is open to all artists who are not younger than 21 and not older than 40 on 31 March 2025. In the case of art students, only students in their final year of study, who meet the age requirements, may participate.

Entry Fee

No entry fee.

How to Apply 

Apply using the link: The Absa L’Atelier competition 2025

All questions regarding this award should be sent to gallery@absa.africa