The Embassy of Spain in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) and partners including the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, National Gallery of Arts (NGA), Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Soto Gallery, and Naijart, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Visual Arts Competition (VAC).
The competition aims to promote young Nigerian artists and give them visibility both in Nigeria and Spain.
Table of Contents
Theme for 2025
The theme for this year’s competition is:
“Building a Common Heritage Through Art.”
Artists are encouraged to explore:
- Cultural identity
- Unity in diversity
- The role of art in preserving and celebrating shared values
Eligibility
To apply for Visual Arts Competition (VAC) 2025, you must meet the following requirements:
- Open to Nigerian individuals in the following age categories:
- Adult: 18 years minimum and 45 years maximum.
- Group submissions are not allowed; entries must be individual.
Apply For: Circular Economy Youth Empowerment Initiative (CEYEI) 2025: Requirements, Benefits, and How to Apply
Categories
Artists for Visual Arts Competition (VAC) 2025 can submit one original artwork in any of the following forms:
- Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache)
- Drawing (pencil, charcoal, ink, pastels)
- Mixed Media
- Digital Art
- Printmaking
- Installations
Submission Guidelines
Below are the submissions guidelines for the Visual Arts Competition (VAC) 2025
- Each artist can submit only one entry
- Artwork must be original and created specifically for this contest
- Digital submissions for pre-selection must be in high-resolution JPEG or PNG (minimum 300 dpi)
- Send entries via email to emespabuja@gmail.com
- Deadline for digital submissions: 19 September 2025
- Physical works must be framed or mounted for display
- After the exhibition, artists are responsible for retrieving their works (except the first prize winner, which becomes property of the Embassy of Spain)
All entries will also be managed securely through the CLAP (Creative Leap Accelerator Programme) platform in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
Entry Process
Artists for the Visual Arts Competition (VAC) 2025must provide:
- A scanned copy of valid ID (passport, national ID, driver’s license, or birth certificate)
- A recent profile picture (for brochure use)
- Completed entry form: Apply here
- A short artist statement (max 200 words) describing the concept and inspiration behind the artwork
Important Dates:
- 24 September 2025: Selected artists for the final will be notified
- 29 September 2025: Deadline for submitting original artworks to one of NGA’s 6 regional stations (Abuja, Calabar, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Lagos)
- 3 October 2025: NGA ensures all artworks are delivered to Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja
- 23 October 2025: Awards ceremony at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja
Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged on:
- Relevance to the theme
- Creativity and originality
- Artistic skill and technique
- Emotional and cultural impact
- Clarity of concept
The panel includes representatives of the Embassy of Spain and professional art experts.
Awards and Recognition
Winners will receive:
- First Prize: A 4-day trip to Madrid to visit ARCO 2026 (4–8 March 2026), one of the world’s leading contemporary art fairs
- Second & Third Prize: Feature at the +234 Art Fair by Soto Gallery in Lagos (March 2026)
- Publication in the event catalog and online platforms
Also Appy : Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF) Phase 2 Equity and Grant 2025
Intellectual Property
- The first prize-winning artwork becomes the property of the Embassy of Spain
- All pre-selected artists grant the organisers non-exclusive rights to reproduce, exhibit, and publish their work for promotional and educational purposes (with credit)
Disqualification Rules
Entries will be disqualified if they:
- Are plagiarized or copied
- Contain offensive or inappropriate material
- Are submitted after the deadline
Key Takeaways
- Deadline for submission: 19 September 2025
- Awards ceremony: 23 October 2025, Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja
- Grand prize: Trip to Madrid, Spain, for ARCO 2026
This competition is a unique opportunity for young Nigerian artists to gain international exposure, connect with the global art community, and showcase their creativity.
