The past ten years have seen the annual Nigerian Undergraduates’ Exhibition of Arts (NUXART) bring together Stakeholders in the Art and Culture sector to celebrate outstanding creativity, innovation, and cultural pride across Africa. Since its inaugural awards in 2003, NUXART has evolved into the premier platform for young talented creatives to showcase their skills and explore the intersection of artistic ideas and technology mediums. Undergraduate students across Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education from all disciplines, especially Arts, Media, Technology, Engineering, and Design, are invited and encouraged to participate for a chance to win a prestigious award.
Each year brought a fresh, thought-provoking theme following the inaugural 2003 event which successfully fostered Commonwealth Connections, Showcasing African Heritage Through Art. The NUXART event which was inspired by the Commonwealth Heads of State meeting in Nigeria has continued to evolve in its role to empower, innovate, and connect diverse cultures while celebrating African creativity, unity, and identity on national and international stages.
Past themes have included “Unity in Diversity, African Cultures Through the Artist’s Lens (2004), “Tradition Meets Innovation – Revitalizing African Heritage Through Art” (2005), “Art as a Voice for Social Change” (2006), “Urban Africa – Capturing the Pulse of a Continent” (2007), “Exploring Identity in a Globalized World” (2008), “Art and Technology – Merging Craftsmanship with Digital Innovation” (2009), “Sculpting the Future, Art as a Catalyst for African Development” (2010), “Exploring Multimedia as a Canvas for African Creativity – Mergence of the Digital Frontier with Traditional Art Forms” (2011), Bridging Cultures through Digital Art, Celebrating Africa’s Diversity through Virtual Artistry (2012).
Over the years, NUXART has not only highlighted the importance of self-reliance but also inspired youth empowerment through art, generating employment and sparking a revolution in African creativity. As we recognize the rapid evolution of digital influence on traditional and modern art and creativity, this year, NUXART launches its special 10th Anniversary Awards, themed, “Innovation and Identity, Art in a Technological Age”. We are awarding exceptional ideas that depict the blending of technology with traditional art to share stories of Africa’s rich heritage with the world.
As we celebrate this milestone, the NUXART Awards remain a powerful testimony to how art, technology, and culture can transform society. With categories ranging from Fine Arts to Media/Electronics, Sculpture and installation, and Mixed Media, the awards have grown to recognize outstanding talents who contribute to the cultural and economic fabric of Africa. Four prestigious awards for excellence are granted annually to deserving participants across respective categories, including the NUXART Prize for Innovation. The winning projects are assessed and recognized for their originality and creativity, alignment with the theme, technical proficiency, and potential for economic and cultural contributions.
Some of the past winners of the prestigious award selected by the experienced team of curators and mentors in each edition include: Victoria Udondian – UNIUYO (2003), Chukwuma Ozegbe – UNIBEN (2003), Festus Kehinde – UNIBEN (2004), Fiona Adamu – ABU (2004), Kehinde Osho – YABATECH (2004), Johnson Uwadimma – UNIPORT (2005), Amedu Sunday – UNIPORT (2005), Muyiwa Odubela – UNN (2005), Stanley Dudu – AUCHIPOLY (2006), Ojewole Joseph – Kwara State COE (2007), Adedamola Adepoju – Lagos State Polytechnic (2007), Austin Osunde – AUCHI POLY (2007), Alfred Enenmoh – FCE Akoka (2007), Edward Samuel – FCE, Akoka (2008), Oni Stephen – Adeyemi COE, Ondo State (2008), Lucky Isaiah – AUCHI POLY (2008), Kosidichimma Anyanwu – FUTO (2011), Ozioma Offor – FCE, Akoka (2012).
Founded by Dr. Patrick Okpah, OON, the Awards have traveled from its origins in Nigeria to be held in the USA, UK, Russia, Qatar, UAE (Dubai), Egypt, Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, and Nigeria; and have remained a very potent tool in empowering and exposing Nigerian Arts and Artists and instilling Entrepreneurial skills in them. The package which includes an exhibition, prize/ awards for outstanding works, Study, Tourism, and Courtesy Visits and Workshops (on Entrepreneurship / Business, Arts, Leadership, and HIV/AIDS), is designed to aid human and intellectual capacity development and has become a regular feature in the calendar of tertiary institutions, corporate organizations and other bodies within and outside Nigeria.