The 2026 Tilga Art Prize
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The 2026 Tilga Art Prize *
Welcome to the 2026 Tilga Art Prize - Uganda Edition
July 1 to July 31, 2026
The Tilga Art Prize is dedicated to identifying, supporting, and uplifting promising emerging artists across Africa.
The Uganda edition is open to emerging visual artists who are Ugandan citizens or permanent residents of Uganda and are between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of application.
Please review the below guidelines before submitting your application.
❋ ELIGIBILITYThe 2026 Uganda Edition is open to artists between the ages of 18 and 30 living and working in Uganda, or artists of Ugandan descent in the diaspora.
Applicants are invited to submit proposals as individuals or as groups across painting, photography, sculpture, installation, illustration, mixed media, performance, and multidisciplinary practices.
❋ SELECTION PROCESSApplications will first undergo an administrative and preliminary review conducted by a selection committee made up of select previous Tilga Art Prize winners and supporting cultural leaders.
A shortlist of ten semifinalists will be selected and presented to the judging panel for final review and evaluation based on artistic quality, originality, growth potential, and overall strength of practice.
❋ ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Professional mentorship and development workshops.
International visibility through Tilga Foundation and partner platforms.
Access to the Tilga Prize artist community.
Opportunity to participate in an exhibition presented alongside a major international art fair in South Africa, Nigeria, etc.
❋ TIMELINE Open call announcement — July 1, 2026
Submission deadline — July 31, 2026
Top 10 semifinalists announcement — Week of August 23, 2026
Winners announcement — Week of September 20, 2026
❋ AWARD STRUCTUREFour artists will be selected as finalists
• The 1st Prize winner receives a prize package valued over $14,000, including an unrestricted cash award and a 3 month residency.
• The 2nd Prize winner receives $3,000
• The 3rd Prize winner receives $2,000
• The 4th Prize winner receives $1,000
The 1st Prize package includes $5,000 in cash award. The residency includes travel, accommodation, studio space, materials support, mentorship, and daily living stipend/per diem support.
2023 Uganda Edition Finalists: Arinitwe Peter and Katesi Jacqueline Kalange
“Winning the Tilga Art Prize marked an important milestone in my artistic journey and brought an opportunity I had long hoped for. I am deeply grateful to Tilga and the selection committee for trusting me as the grand winner. The financial support, mentorship, and residency at the G.A.S. Foundation have been vital to my growth as an artist.
When Tilga came to Uganda, I was encouraged to see that the program included a residency at G.A.S., particularly after my earlier unsuccessful application there, so I decided to apply again while continuing to pray. Receiving the news while I was in Venice for the Architecture Biennale College was a profound moment, and I thanked God for this answered prayer. The prize and residency have enabled meaningful exchanges with fellow creatives and relationships that continue to shape my practice.”
2023 Uganda Edition - 1st Prize Winner Katesi Jacqueline Kalange