ART MEETS INNOVATION: SHYLLON MUSEUM & VENTURES PLATFORM LAUNCH GAME-CHANGING PARTNERSHIP
GREATRIBUNETVNEWS–THE Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) at Pan-Atlantic University and Ventures Platform (VP) have joined forces in a bold three-year partnership, blending art, innovation, and entrepreneurship to empower Nigeria’s next generation of thinkers and makers.
Key Highlights:
– _”This collaboration reflects our belief that museums are not just spaces for preserving the past, but platforms for shaping the future through public engagement.”_ – Jess Castellote, Museum Director
– Student Engagement Platform: Embedded in the university’s curriculum, offering practical insights into building scalable ventures and navigating entrepreneurial challenges
– Ventures Platform–YSMA Futures Art Award : A ₦10m public art commissioning programme, inviting artists to explore ideas around innovation, the future, and public engagement
– _”At Ventures Platform, we see every day how innovative thinking can expand access and solve hard problems — but we also recognize that progress is driven as much by imagination as it is by execution.”_ – Kola Aina, Founder and General Partner, Ventures Platform
– Experiential Learning : Aligns with Pan-Atlantic University’s commitment to interdisciplinary education and Object-Based Learning
This partnership marks a significant milestone in promoting art, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Nigeria
The Futures Art Award: Public Art as a Platform for Innovation
Complementing the educational component is the Ventures Platform–YSMA Futures Art Award, a pioneering annual commission supporting the creation of public-facing sculptures. The award invites artists to imagine and explore ideas around innovation, the future, and public engagement through large-scale work.
Each year, an artist will be selected and funded with the sum of ₦10m to develop a permanent outdoor work within the YSMA sculpture garden and campus environment. More than an award, this initiative reinforces the role of creativity and cultural imagination in shaping entrepreneurial ambition — symbolizing curiosity, bold thinking, and the courage to build.
Together, these two components reflect a shared belief that innovation thrives where creativity, enterprise, and culture intersect. For Ventures Platform, this is consistent with a long-standing approach to backing not just companies, but the systems, talent, and environments that enable innovation to thrive. Partnering with YSMA, a premier university museum in the country, brings this belief to life by combining artistic experimentation with entrepreneurial exposure in a way that invites artists and students alike to imagine, build, and engage with the future.
Kola Aina, Founder and General Partner, Ventures Platform highlighted the significance of the collaboration saying:
“At Ventures Platform, we see every day how innovative thinking can expand access and solve hard problems — but we also recognize that progress is driven as much by imagination as it is by execution. As we mark our 10th anniversary, this initiative reflects our commitment to intentionally designing environments where the next generation of founders can emerge — equipped with clarity, capability, and conviction to build for the future.”
Noting the importance for this collaboration, Jess Castellote, the Museum Director said:
“This collaboration reflects our belief that museums are not just spaces for preserving the past, but platforms for shaping the future through public engagement. The Futures Art Award empowers artists to experiment at a scale that reaches the public, while the educational component strengthens YSMA’s commitment to the experiential learning vision of the university. By bringing together art and entrepreneurship, we are creating new ways for both artists, students and our visitors to engage with the systems and ideas that will define our world.”
Enase Okonedo, the Vice Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University commended the educational component of the partnership:
“This initiative speaks directly to the Pan-Atlantic University’s commitment to experiential learning and interdisciplinary education. It creates a meaningful pathway for our students to engage with industry leaders while also exposing them to the critical and creative thinking that drives innovation. It also enhances our standing as a world-class institution committed to producing well-rounded graduates, equipped with both creative and entrepreneurial capacity.”
Artists and students are invited to engage with the initiatives directly. Details for the Futures Art Award call for entry are as follows:
Call for Entry – Futures Art Award
Applications Open: April 2, 2026
Applications Close: May 18, 2026 (6‑week window)
Who Can Apply: Nigerian & Non-Nigerian artists based in Nigeria, working across sculpture and installation.
Focus: Experiential, participatory, and technology‑informed public sculptures engineered for long‑term outdoor display with harsh weather‑resistant materials.
How to Apply: Visit museum.pau.edu.ng/articles/call-for-applications-the-ventures-platform-ysma-futures-art-award for eligibility, guidelines, and submissions.
About Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
Described as “the apex of a collector’s aspiration to preserve his art” and voted Museum Opening of the Year by Apollo Magazine in 2020, the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) at Pan-Atlantic University is Nigeria’s leading art institution, committed to service and impact through the preservation and showcase of the rich artistic heritage of Nigeria. With an extensive collection of artworks spanning centuries, YSMA offers a diverse range of exhibitions, educational programs, and activities designed to create immersive experiences for visitors and to enrich the cultural landscape of the nation. To learn more about the YSMA and its initiatives, visit www.museum.pau.edu.ng.
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