Empowering Art: Kenya’s Creative Voices Artistic Competition for Kenyan Creatives

The competition is open to all Kenyan creatives of any gender, with a strong encouragement for girls and women to participate. Kenyan citizenship is a requirement for participation, with proof of documentation requested as part of the competition. The objective is to promote the Kenyan artistic community to conceptualize and create compelling graphics to activate change.

After having been selected by a jury, the art will be showcased in the occasion of the global campaign of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, held annually from the 25th of November to the 10th of December.

Themes

• The artistic submissions should be relevant with one or more of the following topics:
  • Women in Leadership: This theme encourages artists to celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women leaders while advocating for more inclusive leadership spaces.
  • Women and climate change: Artists are invited to portray the intersection of gender and climate justice, emphasizing the role of women in creating a sustainable future.
  • Online violence: This theme invites artists to explore the impact of online violence and to advocate for digital spaces that are safe, respectful, and empowering for all.
  • Gender Based Violence and Femicide: Artists are encouraged to highlight the impacts of GBV and femicide while envisioning a society free from violence and discrimination.
  • Male Allyship: Artists are encouraged to illustrate positive examples of male allyship, depicting men as advocates, mentors, and allies in the fight for women’s rights.
  • Intersectional forms of discrimination: This theme challenges artists to highlight the struggles and resilience of women facing intersecting oppressions and to call for a more inclusive and equitable society.

Categories

• Digital Artwork (Online Submission): Artists can submit high-quality digital designs, including posters, illustrations, or any other digital artwork that aligns with at least one the themes outlined:
  • Young Champions (Beginners Category): This category is specifically designed to encourage youth involvement and recognize the creativity of the younger generation in Kenya.
  • Professional and Seasoned Creatives (Advanced Category): This category is for experienced artists and designers who have established themselves in the creative industry and possess a portfolio.
• Traditional Art (Offline Submission): They invite submissions of traditional art such as drawings or paintings that aligns with the competition’s themes. Please note that photographs are not eligible for this competition:
  • Young Champions (Beginners Category): This category is specifically designed to encourage youth involvement and recognize the creativity of the younger generation in Kenya.
  • Professional and Seasoned Creatives (Advanced Category): This category is for experienced artists and designers who have established themselves in the creative industry and possess a portfolio.

Prize Information

• Traditional Art (Offline Submission):
  • Young (Beginners):
    • 1st Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€400) + Artistic Exhibition feature + Artistic residency.
    • 2nd Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€300) + Artistic Exhibition feature + Artistic residency.
    • 3rd Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€200) + Artistic Exhibition feature + Artistic residency.
  • Professional (Advanced):
    • 1st Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€800) + Artistic Exhibition feature.
    • 2nd Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€700) + Artistic Exhibition feature.
    • 3rd Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€600) + Artistic Exhibition feature.
• Digital Artwork and Graphic Design (Online Submission):
  • Young (Beginners):
    • 1st Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€400) + Artistic Exhibition feature + Artistic residency.
    • 2nd Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€300) + Artistic Exhibition feature + Artistic residency.
    • 3rd Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€200) + Artistic Exhibition feature + Artistic residency.
  • Professional (Advanced):
    • 1st Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€800) + Artistic Exhibition feature.
    • 2nd Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€700) + Artistic Exhibition feature.
    • 3rd Place: Cash/Voucher for art supplies (€600) + Artistic Exhibition feature.

Eligibility Criteria

• Digital Artwork (Online Submission):
  • Young Champions (Beginners Category):
    • If you are between 18 and 25 years old and passionate about creative expression and the themes outlined, this category is for you. The following criteria can help assess whether you qualify:
      • General youth with an interest in art and activism, even without formal training.
      • Students enrolled in art, design, or graphics schools who are still honing their skills.
      • Young graduates who have recently completed studies in a creative field but have limited or no professional experience (max 2 years of professional experience).
      • Self-taught artists and hobbyists who are passionate about visual storytelling but have not yet worked professionally in the creative industry.
  • Professional and Seasoned Creatives (Advanced Category):
    • Graphic designers, illustrators, and visual artists with professional experience working on commissioned projects (3+ years).
    • Creatives who have had their work published, exhibited, or used in commercial, editorial, or advocacy campaigns.
    • Artists who have previously won awards or competitions in the visual arts field.
• Traditional Art (Offline Submission):
  • Young Champions (Beginners Category):
    • If you are between 18 and 25 years old and passionate about creative expression and the themes outlined, this category is for you. The following criteria can help assess whether you qualify:
      • General youth with an interest in art and activism, even without formal training.
      • Students enrolled in art, design, or graphics schools who are still honing their skills.
      • Young graduates who have recently completed studies in a creative field but have limited or no professional experience (max 2 years of professional experience).
      • Self-taught artists and hobbyists who are passionate about visual storytelling but have not yet worked professionally in the creative industry.
  • Professional and Seasoned Creatives (Advanced Category):
    • Graphic designers, illustrators, and visual artists with professional experience working on commissioned projects.
    • Creatives who have had their work published, exhibited, or used in commercial, editorial, or advocacy campaigns.
    • Artists who have previously won awards or competitions in the visual arts field.

Application Requirements

• Each application (either online or offline) should contain the following:
  • The artwork file or document.
  • A copy of your Kenyan identity document (ex. ID or passport).
  • A duly filled Application form in English.
• Digital Artwork (Online Submission): Submission Format:
  • High-resolution files in JPG, PNG, or PDF format (if selected, the Commission might ask a .pdf e .svg format)
  • Minimum resolution of 300 dpi for print-quality output.
  • Suggested dimensions: Submissions should be in A4 size (21 x 29.7 cm or 8.27 x 11.69 inches).
  • Selected works might be scaled up to A2 or larger for exhibition or publication purposes, so artists should prioritize clear, bold visuals and avoid fine details that may be lost when enlarged. Both portrait and landscape orientations are accepted.
• Traditional Art (Offline Submission): Submission Format:
  • The artwork in its physical form should be minimum in A4 format (21 x 29.7 cm). Selected works might be professionally scanned for digital use up to A2 or larger for exhibition or publication on billboard purposes, so artists should prioritize clear, bold visuals and avoid fine details that may be lost when enlarged.
  • Both portrait and landscape orientations are accepted.

For more information, visit Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.