An arts and culture promotion scheme, ArtsForChange, has unveiled a four-man panel of judges for the maiden edition of its creative talent hunt powered by Black & White Ideas in conjunction with the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
According to the organisers, the judges are mandated to screen all the multitude of entries submitted and to recommend top ten works for final consideration in the second round to select a final winner.
Judges are to consider adherence to the theme of the competition which is Nigeria: Stronger Together; creativity, aesthetics and originality of each work submitted.
The judges unveiled by the organisers are renowned Visual Artist, Oliver Enwonwu; freelance Documentary Photographer and the Artistic Director and Curator for the 19th Emir of Zazzazu, Halima Abubakar; inventor of the Araism painting technique and founder of the now famous Araism Movement, Otunba Mufu Onifade; and a former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture in Lagos State who is the publisher of TCN, Steve Ayorinde.
Speaking at an unveiling event held recently in Lagos, Titiloye Amzat, honcho at Black & White Ideas, pointed out that the judges for this competition are some of the finest in the creative industry, adding that they were picked based on their achievements over the years in the industry.
“For us at Black & White Ideas, only the best would do as judges. The judges for this edition are some of the best we have around.
“A knowledgeable art writer, a Master’s Degree holder in Visual Art, the creator of a unique painting technique, Araism and a documentary Photographer, what more can you ask for as far as raising the bar in talent discovery and promotion is concerned?
“Having been selected, they now have the responsibility of picking the best entries from the multitude of entries submitted with a focus on four core areas namely, adherence to the theme of the competition which is; ‘Nigeria: Stronger Together’, originality of the work, creativity, and the aesthetic of the work.
“We also want to use this opportunity to appreciate our partner, First Bank, they have truly proven their support of the arts,” Amzat said.
Entry for the competition closed on November 25, with over 500 entries received from six zones of the country – North West, North East, North Central, South-South, South East, and South West.
The unveiling of the winner and presentation of the grand prize will take place later this month in Lagos with the winner walking away with ₦500,000, while other shortlisted participants will win consolation gifts and certificates of commendation.
