(YECA) is an outreach program, targeting the student population of selected public secondary schools in Lagos through art courses, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities. The pilot of this intervention program was initiated by Ford Foundation and African Artists’ Foundation to train 120 students in art in several public secondary schools in Lagos, Nigeria in 2014 and 2015 with the aim of providing opportunities for the acquisition of livelihood by young people.
The aim of YECA is to provide vocational training, the acquisition of livelihood skills, a solid extracurricular outlet for youths in secondary schools and to position art as a viable career path.
YECA empowers the youth with an outlet for creative expression through exhibition of their works in public spaces such as galleries and festivals, and to promote the use of contemporary art to highlight the experiences of the youth in Nigerian society. With past support from organisations such as the Ford Foundation, AAF has collaborated with several schools within Lagos, offering their students art classes and revising the visual art curriculum.
YECA student textile tie and dye training
Trainer: Olayinka Sangotoye and Jenevieve Aken
YECA student performance art training session with Hermes Iyele and student performance at Lagosphoto festival.
