The Arts-Muse Fair

The Minna Book and Art Festival (MinnaBAF) which held last week in Minna, Niger state celebrated the life and writings of late writer Abubakar Gimba who passed away in February 2015. Under a panel named “ Remembering Abubakar Gimba ”, panellists that included the late writer’s daughter, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar Gimba, discussed critical issues the late author treated in his books such as corruption and promotion of women rights. The uncommon humility and philanthropy of the late author as one of the greatest Nigerian novelists ever to emerge from Northern Nigeria also came under focus as participants recalled his support to people under need and patronage to the arts.   The 'Remembering Abubakar Gimba' panel at MinnaBAF According to Abdullahi Ismaila and BM Dzukogi, the late novelist remains the greatest funder and motivator of the Niger state chapter of ANA. They recalled the late writer consistently funding ASCAFS, the flagship project of ANA Niger for over

The Purple Hibiscus Trust announces call for the 11th edition of its creative writing workshop. Applications for the workshop will be open until October 15, 2018. The workshop, which would be run by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will start from November 20 to November 30, 2018. HOW TO APPLY Applications will be via email to  purplehibiscus2018@gmail.com . The email subject should read ‘Workshop Application.’ The body of the email should contain the following: your name, address, a few sentences about ‘yourself’ and a fiction or non-fiction writing sample between 200-1,000 words. The final shortlisted applicants will be notified on November 7, 2018. Accommodation will be provided for accepted applicants.

Goethe-Institut Nigeria is organizing a workshop for practicing and aspiring film journalists. Writers with a strong interest in culture, especially film, are encouraged to apply. 8 to 10 participants will be selected for the 5-day Film Journalism Workshop, which will take place daily from November 9 to 13, 2018. Language The working language of the workshop is English.  Target Group The workshop is open to practicing and aspiring film critics, journalists, students of film, researchers et c. Applicants with relevant experience in cultural journalism (with particular interest in - but not restricted to – film) will also be considered. Applicants must not be younger than 18 years old. Training Objectives Nigeria has one of the world's largest film industries, with global interest in its local content perpetually on the rise. Apart from classic Nigerian films of the 70s, as well as the popular Nollywood films and TV series, animation and documentary films ar

Poetry first drew me towards Kampala four years ago when my poem ‘ Laruge’ was nominated for the Babishai Niwe African Poetry Prize. I was invited for the prize-giving event but a threat of Marburg virus put paid to the idea. When the opportunity to be in Kampala came again via the AMLA Writing Workshop, I was lucky to be among the academic cohorts chosen for the event. My earliest idea of Uganda was the film (too young to remember the title) portraying Idi Amin Dada, the former dictator of the country. Then in secondary school we were taught the history of the Buganda Kingdom. In University, it was the lyrical poetry of Okot B’Pitek that connected me to Uganda. The shield on the gate of Kabaka's palace  I had wanted to leave from Kano but Ethiopian Airline said I have to board in Abuja. The previous week, I had been travelling around; Sokoto, Maiduguri, then Ilorin. I arrived in Abuja two days before the departure. The journey via Bole airport in Addis Ababa to Ent

The inaugural edition of the Minna Book and Art Festival (MinnaBAF) held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna between September 18 and 20, 2018. The literary and cultural event themed “Northern Nigeria Creative Development: The Valley and the Boundary” is the first of its kind in Minna and the North-Central region of Nigeria. It served to create awareness, build capacities and promote all forms of arts.   Prof. Zaynab Alkali with students at the festival Professor Zaynab Alkali, the first female novelist from Northern Nigeria to be published in English, headlined the festival. Prof. Alkali’s commitment and dedication to writing and literary activities served as inspiration to guests at the festival especially school children who were excited to interact with her. In her Festival conversation, moderated by Professor Asabe Kabir Usman of Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Prof. Alkali emphasized the importance of self-development th

Application door is open for interested applicants for the 2018 Africa Centre Artists In Residency Programme (AIR). The Artists In Residency (AIR) Programme accepts submissions from emerging, mid-career and senior level artists across artistic discipline: visual arts, performing arts, curatorial practice, music, creative writing and literature who are either self-taught or formally trained in their respective discipline. ELIGIBILITY Applicant must be over 21 years old He or she must have a valid passport He or she must be from the African continent and must have minimally reside in Africa for six months of the year He or she must possess a high level of proficiency in English PARTNERS FOR 2018 RESIDENCY Bundanon Trust – Australia The Bundanon property is located on 1,100 hectares of pristine bushland overlooking the Shoalhaven River, near Nowra, two and a half hours south of Sydney. This backdrop provides an inspirational haven for

Entries are invited from photographers, 18 years old and above for the 16th Smithsonian.com photo contest. The competition is organised by Smithsonian.com magazine. What does an award-winning photograph look like? It can range from a captivating portrait of a family member to a moon-drenched landscape to movement captured at just the right time. The 16th Annual Photo Contest which is now open for submissions, is looking for the best of the best. Categories of the contest There are 6 categories in the contest: Natural World: Animals, plants and landscapes; geological or climatological features; and scientific processes and endeavors. Travel : Locales, peoples or activities in the United States and abroad that convey a sense of place. People : Portraits and photos of groups or individuals. The American Experience : Events, objects or activities connecting the American people to their history or their cultural heritage;

OVERALL PRIZE: $1000 (NZD) GENRE: SHORT FICTION The submission window for the 2019 Prize is open and will close on the 1st of December 2018. The K & L African Literary Prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (1000 – 2000 words). This is only eligible to African writers living in Africa, ages 18 – 25. Send your short fiction as an attachment to  id.ojabo@gmail.com . Send a brief bio (age, nationality and location included) using the body of the email. Use name, age and short fiction’s title as the email’s subject. ELIGIBILITY – Must be between ages 16 to 25. – Must be African – Must be residing in Africa – Evidence of age and residence would be required from all shortlisted participants REQUIREMENTS – Theme of this year should on ‘history’ – select one vital event in Africa’s history and pen down a masterpiece fiction – Length of fiction should be between 1000 to 2000 words – All entries must be in English ABOUT THE K & L PR