BIC has opened submissions for Art Master Africa 2026, offering African artists a $2,000 prize, mentorship and global exposure for pen-based art

BIC has officially opened submissions for the seventh edition of its Art Master Africa competition, offering emerging African artists a $2,000 grand prize alongside international exposure and creative development opportunities.

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The competition, which targets young and emerging creatives across the continent, will run from April 21 to July 20, 2026, with participants required to produce original artworks using only the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen.

Organisers say the initiative reflects BIC’s ongoing commitment to education, creativity and youth empowerment, while also providing a platform for African artists to gain visibility beyond their local markets.

This year’s theme, “Tomorrow in Your Hands”, challenges participants to interpret the future through personal experiences, cultural identity and imaginative expression while competing for cash prizes, mentorship opportunities and global recognition.

According to Gregory Alibaux, Marketing Director for Middle East and Africa at BIC, the programme continues to empower young creatives by giving them a simple yet powerful tool for artistic expression.

He described the competition as a platform that transforms everyday materials into meaningful works of art, adding that it enables artists to reach global audiences and showcase their creativity beyond borders.

BIC also confirmed that winning entries will gain access to international exposure, including display in the Art Master Africa Metaverse Gallery, while the winning artwork will be added to the company’s official art collection.

Since its launch in 2017, the biennial competition has attracted growing participation, recording over 6,000 submissions from 2,500 artists across 52 countries in its 2024 edition.

The company also highlighted the success of past participants, including Nigerian hyperrealism artist Oscar Ukonu, who has gone on to build an international profile and now serves as a returning judge for the competition.

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Interested artists are encouraged to submit original works that reflect personal stories, cultural identity and future aspirations through the official Art Master Africa platform.