In 2010 CCA, Lagos began an innovative programme with the aims of filling a gap in the educational system in Nigeria and many African countries, which tend to ignore the critical methodologies and histories that underpin artistic practice. Using the format of part art workshop, part residency and part art academy, the art school programme will focus partially on technique and primarily on methodology, critical thinking, and the implementation of conceptual ideas.

The programme will be of benefit to people interested in thinking through the conception and execution of work, artists who are curious and interested in experimenting with modes of practice and thought outside of the traditional modes of working but not to its total exclusion.

Àsìkò Art School 2022
8th International Art Programme
23rd May – 12th
Praia, Cape Verde
Curator: Oyindamola Fakeye
Programme Manager: Ama Ofeibea Amponsah
Email: asikoartschool@gmail.com
Instagram: @asiko_artschool

Conceived and developed by Bisi Silva, Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos

Participant Application Form

Cape Verde 2022
Responding to better suit the times, this edition of Àsìkò will be our first 3-week programme. After successful editions in Lagos, Accra, Dakar, Maputo, and Addis Ababa between 2010-2017, Àsìkò 2022 ushers us into a new phase and relaunch of the Art School which will take place in the Cape Verdean city of Praia in honour of plans originally initiated by Bisi Silva..

In 1975, Praia was designated the capital of Cape Verde when the country joined Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau in attaining independence from Portuguese colonial rule. An archipelago approximately 375 miles off the coast of Senegal, Cape Verde has been dubbed “a nation of emigrants” given that the country’s diaspora significantly outnumbers its local population. Historical patterns of exodus largely catalysed by economic conditions has resulted in sizable settlement populations in Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the US. Nevertheless, Praia, home to 90% of the country’s local population, stands as a dynamic and cosmopolitan city whose languages, literary traditions, music, food, architecture, religions, and social life bear traces of centuries-long European and African influences.

One of Àsìkò 2022’s principle objectives is to question how histories of slave trade and colonialism have shaped the city’s urban ethos and culture, while also exploring how the city and its contemporary art scene forge relations and dialogue across oceans and continents.

Theme – The Poetics of Place
As the theme for this edition, The Poetics of Place invites participants to explore our collective experiences and notions of place – the physical and conceptual spaces we occupy. True to the times, the expressions should also reflect the impact of increased virtuality on their theory and practice. One of the key underpinnings of the Àsìkò pedagogy is to imbibe and engage the rich history and culture of the places that host each edition. The theme and location are in honour of the memory of Bisi Silva who had previously chosen Praia as the next host.

Curatorial Segment
In 2012, Àsìkò introduced a curatorial segment to the programme to respond to the urgent need to develop curatorial training on the continent. Over 10 participants from 9 different countries have taken advantage of this to develop their skills and knowledge of curatorial approaches, trends, and strategies in the fields of modern and contemporary art. During the course, curatorial participants will be encouraged to develop their research methodologies, hone their proposal development and critical writing skills, engage closely with artists and experienced professionals from across the continent and beyond. The curators will be challenged to develop and engage new curatorial formats and strategies for the final programme under experienced supervision.

Key Dates
Open Call:
Jan 28th – Feb 27th

Pre-Programme Activity:
May 18th – May 22nd
Dakar, Senegal
(Dak’art 2022)

Asiko Art School Programme:
May 23rd – June 12th
Monday-Friday, 9.00am- 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Praia, Cape Verde

Post-Programme Session:
June 16th
(Remote)

Coronavirus Safety
Responding to the ongoing changes to Coronavirus travel and safety, we encourage participants to take all available precautions and adhere to the appropriate Covid 19 protocol during the workshops. Any symptoms developed during the programme must be reported to the organisers immediately to ensure your safety and treatment as well as the wellbeing of others in the group.

Programme Costs
Participation fee is $800 USD.

All participants MUST pay the participation fee which goes towards running the programme, a modest production budget, and final project. Non-resident participants are expected to bear their travel costs to and from Cape Verde as well as their living cost for the duration of the programme.

ccalagos.org