The Prince Claus Fund in the Netherlands has announced the recipients of its Seed Award programme.
The recipients will receive €5 000 (about $6 000) to develop their cultural practice.
Ayo Akínwándé, a Nigerian contemporary visual artist, curator, and writer was listed amongst the recipients.
Other African recipients include Alice Penda (Cameroon), Doaa Nasr (Egypt), Delasi Nunana (Ghana), Souleymane Kone (Burkina Faso), Aristote Mago (DRC), Sanele Hlophe (eSwatini), Gladys Kalichini (Zambia), Abdoul Mujyambere (Rwanda), Faye Penda (Senegal) and Victor Pemba (Zimbabwe), among others.
Antidote Music co-founder Sanele Hlophe is among the recipients of the Prince Claus Seed Awards.
According to a statement from the Prince Claus Fund, new artists need a chance to break through barriers if culture is to thrive.
“For culture to thrive, new artists need a chance to break through barriers, experiment, find their path and gain momentum. We are proud to announce a selection of future trend setters, a hundred artists to follow” the Prince Claus Fund said.
The Prince Claus Fund received about 1500 applications and 100 Prince Claus Seed Award recipients were chosen from 65 countries.
Their socially engaged work addresses pressing issues in their local contexts and covers a diversity of themes – from gender equality and racial justice to freedom of expression and the impact of climate change.
The fund aims to contribute to flourishing arts scenes globally, where emerging artists can develop their practice on their own terms. Every year, the fund recognises emerging artists and cultural practitioners within the first five years of their careers.
