CraftVantage has announced its 2026 cohort, which will bring together a carefully selected group of outstanding art graduates and place them within a structured programme designed to move talent into visible, commercially viable practice.

According to the firm in a statement, the 2026 cohort will bring together exceptional graduates from leading institutions, including Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos.

It said that each artist is commissioned to produce original work, supported through dedicated funding and production resources, with direct access to experienced curators and practitioners, and a clear expectation of delivering work that is distinctive, compelling, and exhibition-ready.

“This body of work will be presented in ‘Bold Stories, Sustainable Futures,’ a curated exhibition taking place at the Wings Office Complex in Lagos in May 2026. The exhibition is conceived as a cultural moment of intent, bringing together collectors, institutions, media, and a wider HNI audience,” the statement added.

Providing curatorial direction for the programme, a Senior Lecturer, Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Dr Bolaji Ogunwo, stated that talent has never been the issue, stressing that what has been missing is structure, access, and continuity. CraftVantage is closing that gap in a way that is deliberate and uncompromising, so that artists are not only seen, but taken seriously.”

For the Founder, Misi Ogunbodede, the platform speaks to something larger. She said: “This is about how we choose to invest in the future we want to see. When young people are given real opportunity, they don’t just create art; they shape narratives, economies, and identity.

“CraftVantage is building a pipeline of African talent that is visible, while contributing to a creative economy that reflects the depth and brilliance of who we are.”