Art

+234Art Fair Targets Inclusivity With March 2026 Third Edition

In just three years, the +234ArtFair has quickly become an essential part of the Nigerian visual art scene's calendar. Last year’s edition featured roughly 260 emerging artists and more than 300 artworks in different media.

John Eriomala

6 months ago

The third edition of the +234Art Fair, organised by the Soto Gallery in collaboration with Ecobank, will take place at the Ecobank Pan African Centre Victoria Island, Lagos, from March 5 – 8, 2026. The fair, which is one of the focal points in the Nigerian visual arts scene calendar, aims to combine workshops, masterclasses, and exhibitions of artworks for patronage, all to showcase emerging Nigerian talents, with inclusivity. This year’s edition is themed ‘Inclusivity.’ The aim is to “expand participation in the art ecosystem by sharing knowledge, access, and opportunity more widely.” Per the fair’s official curatorial statement, assessing barriers to artistic careers through collaborations with universities, art schools, NGOs, and culture custodians across the country is a key focus. It follows similar themes of ‘Patronage’ and ‘Projecting Nigerian Creatives’ at the 2025 and inaugural 2024 edition, respectively. The +234Arts Fair aims to explore alternative support models and spaces for overlooked practitioners and visual art forms. In conjunction with The Children’s Gallery Lagos, there will be a curated Children’s Gallery, as has been at previous editions. This section involves supervised classes and workshops for children, with activities such as clay art demonstrations and storytelling sessions. Organisers also encourage schools to bring their students along. Six workshops are set to take place during the fair. The opening session on the 5th of March will feature a keynote address by Senior Collection Specialist, Department of Drawings and Prints, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, Kunbi Oni, on the topic, “Beyond the Moment: Building a Sustainable Career in Art.” Other sessions will cover blockchain technology in decentralising inclusion, grassroots arts initiatives, building inclusive networks and sustainable art careers, and art therapy. Other speakers include prominent individuals in the visual arts, entertainment, and entrepreneurship, like Anthony Azekwoh, Anjola Dave, Ima Ekpo, Yadichinma Ukoha-Kalu, and Paul Ukeugo. In conversation with Culture Custodian, Tola Akerele, Founder of the +234Art Fair, emphasised efforts made to engage with often overlooked practices and voices to ensure a broad spectrum of perspectives. She added that visitors should expect a program that reflects the full diversity of contemporary Nigerian art. “By creating space for experimentation, connection, and engagement, the fair celebrates creativity as a shared experience, where artists, audiences, and communities all play a role in shaping the cultural landscape.” In just three years, the +234ArtFair has quickly become an essential part of the Nigerian visual art scene’s calendar. Last year’s edition featured roughly 260 emerging artists and more than 300 artworks in different media. They represent a tiny portion of the estimated 1.2 million-person-strong visual arts sector, as reported by The Guardian in 2024. With the Federal Government aiming to generate 10% of Nigeria’s GDP from Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation by 2030, despite representing just 0.47% in Q1 2025, events such as the Fair are non-negotiables. Others, such as Art X Lagos, the EnjoyNigeria Expo and Festival, Lagos Book and Arts Festival, and Ake Arts and Book Festival, serve as platforms for visual artists seeking inclusive spaces and patronage. The +234 ArtFair is free to the public, provided attendees register beforehand. Registration for exhibitors closed earlier on February 1, 2026.