Art of Peace Community Challenge


A Community Challenge

NB: Entry into the 2024 Art of Peace Challenge has closed.

Art of Peace 2.0 is designed to significantly expand the initiative’s reach and impact, engaging a wider audience across Nigeria. Unlike the previous edition, Art of Peace 2.0 will be less of a contest and more of a platform to empower artists to address pressing societal issues and contribute to the promotion of peace.

The Process

  • Art for Social Impact Learning Modules: All participants must complete the Art for Social Impact learning modules on ourvoiceaslight.org/course
  • Course Participation: Throughout the course, you will submit brief reflections, ideas, or draft artwork concepts. This is designed to help you refine your approach and ensure your work aligns with the theme of social impact. This journey is meant to guide you as you develop your work.
  • Art Submission: Upon completing the course and actively participating in the quizzes or comments, you can submit your final artwork on ourvoiceaslight.org/apply, accompanied by a written piece explaining how it aligns with the challenge's goals. Once submitted, we also encourage you to upload and share your work on social media to proudly showcase what you have created. After submission, you are also free to use your artwork to enter art contests or similar opportunities.
  • Review: Submitted works will be reviewed by a panel of experts, including artists and social impact leaders.
  • Recognition: The top 10% of submissions will receive financial recognition, while all selected works (without a set limit) may be featured in social impact campaigns, showcased by partner organizations, or published in journals to increase visibility. Full credit will always be given to the creator(s).

Timeline

  • Launch Date: October 10th, 2024
  • Ideal Date to complete the Course: November 10th, 2024
  • Extended Deadline to Complete the Course: December 3rd, 2024
  • Deadline for Submissions: December 10th, 2024
  • Announcement of Selected Entries: By January 2025

Participant Eligibility:

  • Must be a resident of Nigeria. For group submissions, the team representative must be a Nigerian resident
  • Must be 16 years old or older by the end of 2024

Artwork Eligibility:

  • Each creator can submit a maximum of one entry
  • The submitted piece must be an original work created solely by the participant, who must also own the full copyright.
  • The artwork must be specifically created for this challenge.
  • Completion of the Art for Social Impact course is required before submitting your artwork.

Expectations:

  • Theme: Your artwork should address a key societal issue and promote peace, justice, equity, inclusion, sustainability, empowerment, or other related themes. For example, your focus could be on topics like environmental sustainability, maternal health, quality education, or affordable energy. Whatever you choose, ensure that it is specific, has a clear focus, and that your work and/or description clearly convey your intended message.
  • Art Forms: Artworks can be in any form, but submissions require submitting a file (i.e., a picture, text, or video).
  • Written Context: You are expected to provide a brief written statement explaining the message behind your artwork and how it relates to the themes of peace and social justice.

Further Information:

Overview

Peace is a state we all long for, yet it’s often difficult to put into words. The question arises: how can we create what we struggle to define?

Through the Art of Peace Challenge 1.0, powered by Our Voice as Light, Nigerians from Lagos and Oyo States were invited to reimagine their visions of peace within their communities. The response was overwhelming as 113 submissions were received, each offering a unique perspective on what peace looks and feels like. After careful review by external reviewers, who evaluated each piece based on creativity and originality, relevance to the theme, artistic technique, emotional impact, and clarity of expression, 74 of these works were selected as qualifying submissions.

The book below book showcases these great works, which include literary, visual, and auditory art. These pieces, whether paintings, poetry, essays, music, or other forms of creative art, offer us many perspectives on peace.

As you journey through this book, you’ll notice a trend: some artists explore themes of unity, while others present the complexity of peace, showing it as either a presence in chaos or as the absence of it. Despite these complexities, the overarching message is clear: peace is essential, and it is worth striving for, even when it seems challenging to achieve.

This book is more than just a collection of works. It is an invitation to reflect deeply on the meaning of peace and how we can cultivate it. As you explore these pages, we hope you will feel inspired not just as a reader, but as someone who actively contributes to creating a more peaceful world.

The Challenge

"Through your preferred choice of art form, express what peace means in your community (within Lagos or Oyo State)"

The 2023 Art of Peace 1.0 application closed on June 1, 2023. Flip through the book below to view some of the entries. Look out for the 2024 Art of Peace 2.0.


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