Centre for contemporary art lagos (cca lagos)

asikoartschool@gmail.com

Centre for Contemporary Art Lagos (CCA Lagos) -With Àsìkò Art School & International Exchange Programmes

Nigeria’s Pioneer Contemporary Art Institution Founded by Legendary Curator Bisi Silva (1962-2019)

Overview

Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos (CCA Lagos) is an independent non-profit visual art organization founded in December 2007 by renowned curator Bisi Silva to provide a platform for the development, presentation, and discussion of contemporary visual art and culture. Headquartered at 9 McEwen Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos, CCA Lagos reopened in February 2025 after three-year closure for $1 million+ renovation (funded by 2022 Sotheby’s benefit auction). The institution operates Àsìkò Art School—an itinerant “part art workshop, part residency, part art academy” programme founded in 2010 that has traveled across Africa (Lagos, Accra, Dakar, Maputo, Addis Ababa, Praia, Cairo) providing intensive 3-5 week residency-based education for African artists and curators. CCA Lagos also facilitates international exchange residencies through partnerships with Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts (Austria), ISCP New York, Goethe-Institut, ZK/U Berlin, and others. Reopened under artistic/executive director Oyindamola Faithful, CCA Lagos consists of renovated art space, visual art library, bookshop, experiential studio, and curatorial/artists’ archive—serving as “lynchpin” of Lagos contemporary art scene and mentor institution to initiatives like G.A.S. Foundation and Tiwani Gallery.

Founder: Bisi Silva (1962-2019)

“With the Kings’ Permission to Care For”

Full Name: Olabisi Obafunke Silva
Born: May 29, 1962
Died: February 12, 2019 (aged 56, after 4-year battle with breast cancer)
Name Meaning: “Obafunke” in Yoruba = “the one who got permission from the king to care for”

Background & Journey

Education:

MA in Visual Arts Administration: Curating and Commissioning Contemporary Art – Royal College of Art, London (1996)

Early Career (London):

Worked as independent curator
Founded Fourth Dial Art (non-profit project in London dedicated to promoting and cultivating cultural practice in visual arts, helping artists form meaningful collaborations)
Curated “Heads of State” traveling exhibition featuring Faisal Abdu’Allah (then-emerging London artist)

1999: Visited Lagos with idea of starting a project

2006-2007: Developed CCA Lagos concept after frustrating year-long attempt to collaborate with Goethe-Institut on body/sexuality exhibition repeatedly approved then cancelled

“A friend of mine said, ‘Look, Bisi. You need to create your own space if you want to do these kinds of projects.'”

December 2007: Opened Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos using personal savings

2010: Launched Àsìkò Art School to fill gap in African art education

2019: Working on long-term curatorial project restoring value of women artists from Nigeria’s post-independence period when she passed

Curatorial Legacy

Major Exhibitions & Roles:

Dakar Biennale (Senegal) – Curator (2006)
Second Thessaloniki Biennale of Contemporary Art (Greece) – Co-curator, “Praxis: Art in Times of Uncertainty” (September 2009)
J. D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere: Moments of Beauty – Co-curator, Kiasma, Helsinki (April-November 2011)
“The Progress of Love” – Co-curator, transcontinental collaboration across 3 venues USA/Nigeria (October 2012-January 2013)
Artes Mundi Prize (Wales) – Selector with Isabel Carlos (Third edition)
Numerous exhibitions at CCA Lagos including Ndidi Dike, George Osodi, Fela/Ghariokwu Lemi album covers, many others

Recognition

Named among decade’s most influential curators by curators Nina Zimmer and Touria El Glaoui

Impact:

“Godmother in the art world” – Hannah O’Leary, Sotheby’s
Mentored Maria Varnava (named Tiwani Gallery “our own” in Yoruba)
Guided Yinka Shonibare’s return to Nigeria as adult (2016, first public sculpture)
“Lynchpin for all these exciting events” in Lagos art scene development
Championed overlooked artists across Africa and diaspora with “uncompromising passion”

CCA Lagos became: “Locally rooted international centre for African contemporary art, a pioneering project hinged on collaboration”

CCA Lagos Mission & Vision

Founding Context (2007)

“After twenty years of military dictatorship in Nigeria, the local arts scene was extremely conservative and principally commercial—commercial because the government doesn’t fund culture, curatorial projects, or anything of the like. Very few spaces existed for artists who weren’t commercial and wanted to experiment and push the parameters of their practice.” – Bisi Silva

Gap Being Filled:

No exhibition spaces for new media/experimental art
Photography considered “vocational trade” (weddings, birthdays)—not fine art
Video art didn’t exist as recognized practice
Performance art: Maybe one practitioner
No safe space for critical engagement or experimentation

Original Focus: Lens-based media (photography, film, video, animation, performance, installation)—media traditionally underrepresented/under-noticed in Nigerian contemporary art

Core Mission

“To provide a platform for the development, presentation, and discussion of contemporary visual art and culture”

Objectives:

Create new audiences for visual arts
Prioritize underrepresented media
Professionalize art production and curatorship in Nigeria and West Africa
Provide public forum for critical examination of ideas and cultural practices
Encourage intellectual and critical development
Support cross-cultural exchange between Nigerian and international artists, curators, writers, theorists
Contemporary art as educational model to engage communities, promote social dialogue, advance critical discourse

Facilities & Infrastructure

Address:
9 McEwen Street
Sabo, Yaba
Lagos, Nigeria

Neighborhood:

Yaba = Educational and cultural hub of Lagos
Nearby institutions:

University of Lagos (UniLag)
Yaba College of Technology (YabaTech)
Strengthens artistic network and collaboration

Building Configuration (Post-2022 Renovation):

Five-story building (CCA purchased building it had rented since 2007):

Renovated Facilities (designed by Greycave and Studio Contra Ltd):

Gallery spaces (multi-level exhibition areas)
Visual art library (extensively stocked through donations and purchases)
Bookshop (publishing initiative products)
Café (community gathering space)
Experiential studio (hands-on workspace)
Curatorial and artists’ archive (Bisi Silva’s collection, CCA documentation)
Elevator (wheelchair accessibility—first time; visitors previously “labored up concrete staircase”)
Professional exhibition infrastructure

Accessibility: Designed in consultation with disability arts advocates

2022 Renovation:

$1 million+ raised through Sotheby’s benefit auction (March 15-22, 2022)
Many artists donated work in honor of Bisi Silva’s legacy
Three-phase reopening plan:
- Phase 1: February 2025 (“Archives and Memories” exhibition)
- Phases 2 & 3: Ongoing expansion

“These upgrades not only enhance the visitor experience but also allow us to deepen our engagement with the vibrant artistic networks around us, particularly the University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology.” – Oyindamola Faithful

Àsìkò Art School – The Residency Programme

“Time” – Àsìkò in Yoruba

Founded: 2010
Founder/Conceiver: Bisi Silva
Current Director: Oyindamola Faithful (also artistic/executive director CCA Lagos)
Programme Manager: Ama Ofeibea Tetteh

Programme Philosophy

Format: “Part art workshop, part residency and part art academy”

Not Traditional Residency:

“Striving to provide an alternative to the traditional residency format”

Focus: Methodology, critical thinking, and implementation of conceptual ideas (partially on technique)

Mission:

Fill gap in African education systems that “ignore critical methodologies and histories underpinning artistic practice”
Build local, regional, continental support structures for art production and critical thought
Provide conducive framework encouraging individual research and production
Encourage artists to experiment with modes of practice and thought outside traditional modes (but not to total exclusion)

Structure & Duration

Intensive Programme: 3-5 weeks (varies by edition)

2025 Example (Cairo):

Virtual pre-programme activities (before)
4 weeks in Cairo (April 27-May 25, 2025)
Virtual post-programme (after)
Total: ~6 weeks with virtual components

Daily: Typically Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm during in-person portion

Itinerant Model – Pan-African

One of Àsìkò’s unique features: Programme travels across African continent

Locations Over Time:

Lagos, Nigeria (2010, 2012 – inaugural editions “On Independence and The Ambivalence of Promise”, “History/Materiality”)
Accra, Ghana (2012, 2013, 2014 – “The Archive: Static, Embodied, Practiced”; “Global Crit Clinic” curriculum module)
Dakar, Senegal (2014 – “A History of Contemporary Art in Dakar in 5 weeks”; collaboration with Synergie Contemporary, University of Dakar, Dak’Art Biennale)
Maputo, Mozambique (2015)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (mentioned)
Praia, Cape Verde (2022 – 3-week programme honoring Bisi Silva’s original plans)
Cairo, Egypt (2025 – “Islamic art to Coptic Christian art to Ottoman architecture” context)

Philosophy: Itinerant characteristic allows engagement with different African contexts, histories, art scenes, and forges relations/dialogues with global art landscape

Who Can Participate

Eligible:

Artists (including self-taught) from Africa and African diaspora
Emerging curators from Africa and diaspora
Artists working in any media: painting, sculpture, textile, ceramics, photography, video, new media, performance, writing, theatre, dance
Curators benefiting from close interaction with artists
Those interested in interdisciplinary methods
Professionally active for at least 3 years (for artists)

Career Stage: Primarily emerging/mid-career (not exclusively)

Programme Components

Facilitators/Mentors:

Leading artists and curators from across continent and internationally
3 segments led by different lead artist/curator (2025 example)
1-3 visiting guest speakers per segment (curators, artists, historians, filmmakers, writers, cultural practitioners)

Activities:

Workshops on critical thinking, methodology, conceptual development
Curatorial lectures
Artists’ presentations
Critical debates
Portfolio reviews and personal feedback
Extended critique sessions
Developing writing skills for artists and curators
Non-traditional elements: performance, digital, sound
Global Crit Clinic (ongoing component since 2012 Accra)
Final presentation/project (participants often provocatively title: “A History of Contemporary Art in [City] in [X] Weeks”)

Resources Provided:

Access to experienced local/international artists and curators
Research materials
Modest production budget (included in fee)
Studio/workspace during programme
Knowledge sharing through presentations and debate

Financial Structure

Participation Fee: $800-850 USD (varies by edition)

2025 Cairo Example:

Non-residents (international): $850 USD
Residents (Egypt-based): $450 USD

Fee Covers:

Running the programme
Modest production budget
Final project materials

Participants Responsible For:

Travel costs to/from host city (non-residents)
Living expenses during programme (food, personal costs)
Accommodation COVERED for non-residents in most editions
Lunch provided during teaching days (2025 example)

Important Note: “Total cost substantially subsidized by CCA Lagos”

Funding Resources: CCA encourages applications to:

African Arts Trust (TAAT) – Kenya, East Africa artists
Pro Helvetia – Johannesburg and Cairo offices
Other home country funding sources
Various foundations and councils

Payment Deadline: Typically 1-2 months before programme start (March 31, 2025 for April programme)

Application Process

Timing:

Open calls announced periodically (varying dates by edition)
Typically 1-3 months before programme

Requirements:

CV (including personal details, education, qualifications, contact info, address)
Statement of Intent/Artist Statement (300 words – background to practice, areas of interest)
Portfolio/Work Samples (up to 5 – combination of images, audio, video files)
Project description (how residency fits practice, willingness to collaborate)

Submission:

Email: asikoartschool@gmail.com
Subject line: Typically specified in call

Selection: By CCA Lagos team and potentially external advisors

Current Status & Future

2022: Relaunched after hiatus, moved to Praia, Cape Verde (honoring Bisi Silva’s plans)

2024-2025: Continuing with Cairo edition

Àsìkò’s Goal: “Engage with how contemporary culture is shaping art scene while forging relations and dialogues with global art landscape”

International Exchange Residencies

Beyond Àsìkò, CCA Lagos facilitates several ongoing partnership residencies:

1. Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts (Austria)

Established: 2013
Duration: 3 weeks
Partner: Salzburg Summer Academy (Director: Hildegund Amanshauser)

Programme:

CCA Lagos selects Nigerian artists to participate
Artists attend renowned short courses led by international faculty
Experimental courses exploring sculpture, materials, context (example: “Simsimsalaboom! Before you learn to fly, learn how to fall” with Christoph Draeger)
2013-2015: Ongoing collaboration

Past Residents:

Taiye Idahor (2013)
Kelani Abass (2013-2015)
Abraham Oghobase (2013-2015)

Exhibition: Works from residencies presented at CCA Lagos “Orí méta odún méta ibìkan” (Three heads, three years, one place) in 2016, then reconstructed at ISCP New York in 2017 when CCA Lagos was institution-in-residence

Funding: Salzburg Summer Academy support

2. ISCP New York (International Studio & Curatorial Program)

Year: 2017
Role: CCA Lagos as institution-in-residence at ISCP (annual programme since 2011 supporting cultural exchange)

Exhibition & Programmes: May-June 2017

Reconstructed Salzburg residency exhibition
Artist talks, roundtables, public programmes
Supported by: Dennis Elliott Founder’s Fund, Greenwich Collection Ltd, NYC Council, NY State Council on the Arts, Andy Warhol Foundation

3. Goethe-Institut Nigeria / Berlin Exchanges

Partnership: Goethe-Institut Nigeria + ZK/U Berlin + Städtische Galerie Wedding Berlin + Savvy Contemporary Berlin + Arthouse Foundation Lagos

Programme: 6-week residencies for artists/curators

Two Directions:

Berlin-based artists/curators → Lagos (hosted at Arthouse Foundation)
Lagos-based artists/curators → Berlin (at ZK/U)

2018 Example – “Unsustainable Privileges”:

Thematic focus
Fully funded: accommodation, workspace, travel (economy), visa fees, per diem
Final presentation at both Arthouse Foundation Lagos and Galerie Wedding Berlin
Application through Goethe-Institut/Galerie Wedding

2023-2024 Residents:

Nora Mandray (Berlin) + James Notin (Lagos) – AI and cinema futures
September 2023-April 2024

Ongoing: Multiple iterations over years

4. Other Partnership Programmes

ARD South Residency (Egypt):

CCA Lagos facilitates applications
1-month residency in Cairo for Africa-based artists
Fully funded
Hosted at ARD Art institution

Nordic/Baltic Studios:

Finland-Africa Partnership for Innovation (FAPI)
Collaboration with 4 residencies: LAPA (South Africa), ARD (Egypt), G.A.S. Foundation (Nigeria), ExitFrame (Ghana)
2-week programmes for Àsìkò alumni and others

CCA Lagos Public Programmes

Beyond residencies, CCA Lagos operates extensive programming:

Exhibitions

Free admission to all exhibitions

Focus: Contemporary Nigerian, African, diaspora artists + historical modern masters

Recent/Significant:

“Archives and Memories” (Feb 12-May 31, 2025 – reopening exhibition)
“Like A Virgin…” – Lucy Azubuike, Zanele Muholi
George Osodi – “Paradise Lost: Revisiting the Niger Delta”
Ndidi Dike – “Waka-into-bondage: The Last ¾ Mile”
Fela, Ghariokwu Lemi and The Art of the Album Cover
Many others

Library & Archive

Visual Art Library:

Donations: Switzerland (Donateartbooks organization), institutions CCA collaborated with, individual purchases
Nigerian publications: Monographs (Olu Amoda, Peju Layiwola), illustrated books
International contemporary art publications
Active acquisition programme
Free access to researchers, artists, students

Curatorial and Artists’ Archive:

Bisi Silva’s curatorial archive (central to institution)
CCA exhibition histories
Documentation of Nigerian/African contemporary art
Writings and critical texts

Publishing Initiative – Art-iculate Expanded

Three Types of Publications:

In-depth monographs on modern Nigerian artists (half-century+ contributions to African art)
Pocket-size books on emerging/mid-career artists
Survey publications on Nigerian/African art sector (new artists, trends, specific media/themes)

Goal: Respond to “vacuum in platforms for critical, artistic and curatorial activities on the printed page”

Sea Never Dry

Named after: Akinbode Akinbiyi’s long-term photographic series (Bar Beach Lagos since 1982)

Description: Full-day programming bringing together film, conversation, memory, community—stories shaping Lagos and Atlantic shoreline

Recent: Special edition December 17, 2024 marking 18th anniversary CCA Lagos

Strategic Partnerships & Networks

Collaborators:

University of Lagos (UniLag)
Yaba College of Technology (YabaTech)
Vernacular Art Lab
Arts in Medicine
Nnele Institute
G.A.S. Foundation (CCA was mentor to Yinka Shonibare’s initiative)
Revolving Art Incubator
Salzburg Summer Academy
ISCP New York
Goethe-Institut
ZK/U Berlin, Savvy Contemporary, Galerie Wedding
Synergie Contemporary (Dakar)
Video Brazil / Solange Farkas
José Roca (Colombia – residency models)

Funding Model

“Predominantly self-funded non-profit organization”

Revenue Sources:

Exhibitions programme
Publications programme
International partnerships (Goethe, Salzburg, etc.)
Grants and donations
2022 Sotheby’s auction ($1M+)
Foundation support (Andy Warhol Foundation, etc.)

No government funding for culture/curatorial projects in Nigeria

Impact & Legacy

“Lynchpin” of Lagos Contemporary Art Scene

Mentored Institutions:

Inspired G.A.S. Foundation establishment
Named Tiwani Gallery
Supported countless artists’ careers

Àsìkò Alumni:

Programme has “gained prominence for showcasing some of best artistic talents in Africa”

Alumni have gone on to:

International residencies (Hyde Park Art Centre Chicago, others)
Major exhibitions globally
Gallery representation
Curatorial careers
Teaching positions
Further education

Global Recognition:

“Nigeria’s pioneer contemporary art institution” providing experimental platform when none existed

Current Leadership

Artistic and Executive Director: Oyindamola Faithful

Programme Manager: Ama Ofeibea Tetteh

Project Assistant: Mary Omoregie

Vision for Reopening:

“This is a new chapter for us. It’s about honoring the past while building a future that continues to inspire creativity and critical dialogue.” – Oyindamola Faithful

Contact & Application

Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos
9 McEwen Street
Sabo, Yaba
Lagos, Nigeria

Website: http://www.ccalagos.org
Àsìkò Email: asikoartschool@gmail.com
Instagram: @ccalagos, @asiko_artschool

To Apply for Àsìkò:

Monitor http://www.ccalagos.org and social media for open calls
Subscribe to mailing list for announcements
Prepare CV, statement, portfolio
Apply when calls open (typically 1-3 months before programme)
Seek funding from home country sources
Pay participation fee upon acceptance

For Other Residencies:

Salzburg/international exchanges: Typically invitation/nomination by CCA Lagos
Partnership programmes: Check partner websites (Goethe-Institut, ARD, etc.)
General inquiries: Contact through website