Competition Terms & Conditions
YORUBUDDY ART COMPETITION 2026
TERMS & CONDITIONS
1. About the Competition
The Yorubuddy Art Competition 2026 (“Competition”) is an open-call art competition created to celebrate creativity, artistic expression and contemporary interpretations of the Yorubuddy character and its cultural identity.
The Competition provides artists with an opportunity to interpret Yorubuddy through their own artistic language and to have their work considered by a panel comprising established collectors, curators and artists.
The Competition will culminate in the selection of ten (10) finalists, whose works will be presented in a public exhibition in November 2026. The overall winner will subsequently be selected by the Jury and announced in December 2026.
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2. Competition Timeline
The Competition will operate according to the following provisional schedule:
– Open Call: 1 October 2026
– Submission Deadline: 25 October 2026
– Finalist Selection: Following the close of submissions
– Finalists: Ten (10) artists will be selected
– Finalist Exhibition: 3 November 2026
– Winner Announcement: December 2026
The Organisers reserve the right to amend dates where reasonably necessary. Any material change to the Competition timetable will be communicated through the Competition’s official communication channels.
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3. Eligibility
The Competition is open to artists who meet the eligibility requirements stated in the official Competition announcement and submission platform.
Applicants may work in any appropriate artistic medium unless a particular medium is expressly excluded in the Competition brief.
Each entrant is responsible for ensuring that all information supplied during registration and submission is accurate and complete.
The Organisers reserve the right to request evidence of identity, authorship or other information reasonably required to verify an application.
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4. The Artwork
Each submitted artwork must be:
1. An original creative work by the entrant;
2. Created or substantially developed by the entrant;
3. An authentic artistic interpretation of the Competition brief;
4. Submitted in accordance with the technical specifications and submission requirements published by the Organisers; and
5. Available for exhibition if the entrant is selected as one of the ten finalists.
Artists are encouraged to demonstrate originality, creativity, artistic quality and a distinctive interpretation of Yorubuddy.
The Competition does not require artists to reproduce Yorubuddy literally. Artists may interpret the character, concept, identity, symbolism or cultural references of Yorubuddy through their own artistic practice, subject to the Competition brief and any applicable intellectual-property requirements.
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5. Originality and Copyright
By submitting an artwork, the entrant confirms that:
– The artwork is their own original work;
– They have the necessary rights and permissions to submit the artwork;
– The artwork does not knowingly infringe the copyright, trademark, moral rights or other intellectual-property rights of another person or organisation;
– Any third-party material incorporated into the work has been lawfully used and appropriately authorised; and
– The artwork has not been submitted in breach of any contractual or other legal obligation owed to a third party.
Where an artwork is found to infringe the rights of another person or organisation, the Organisers may withdraw the artwork from consideration or exhibition and, where appropriate, disqualify the entrant.
The entrant remains responsible for any claims arising from infringement of third-party rights.
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6. Submission
All entries must be submitted ONLY through the official Competition submission website: yorubuddy.com before the published deadline.
Entries received after the deadline may not be considered.
The Organisers are not responsible for submissions that are incomplete, corrupted, inaccessible, improperly submitted or not successfully received.
Applicants are responsible for checking that their submission has been successfully completed.
The Organisers may reject submissions that do not comply with the published submission requirements.
Submission is FREE OF CHARGE.
One entry only is permitted by each artist
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7. Selection of Finalists
Following the closing of the Open Call, the submitted artworks will be reviewed and assessed by the Competition Jury.
Ten (10) finalists will be selected.
The Jury will comprise individuals with professional experience in one or more of the following fields:
– Art collecting;
– Art curation;
– Visual arts;
– Contemporary art;
– Creative and cultural practice; and/or
– Related areas of artistic and cultural expertise.
The composition of the Jury may be announced publicly by the Organisers.
The Jury’s decision will be based on its assessment of the submitted works against the Competition brief and relevant artistic considerations, which may include:
– Originality and creativity;
– Quality of artistic execution;
– Strength and clarity of concept;
– Interpretation of Yorubuddy;
– Cultural relevance and resonance;
– Individual artistic voice; and
– Overall impact of the work.
The Organisers may publish additional judging criteria as part of the Competition brief.
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8. Jury Decision
The Jury shall independently review and assess eligible submissions.
The decision of the Jury regarding the selection of the ten finalists and the overall winner shall be final, subject to applicable law.
The Organisers will not ordinarily enter into correspondence regarding individual judging decisions or provide individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Members of the Jury are expected to disclose any material conflict of interest in relation to an entrant or submitted artwork. The Organisers may take appropriate steps where a conflict is identified.
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9. Finalist Exhibition
The ten selected finalists will have their works presented as part of the official Yorubuddy Art Competition finalist exhibition scheduled for 3 November 2026. The presentation will take the form of a digital print on canvas and not a physical bear.
Finalists must make their artwork available for the exhibition in accordance with the instructions provided by the Organisers, including requirements relating to:
– 3D digital design
– HD images of your concept
– paintings on canvas not more than 8 x 10inches
– miniature reproduction Yorubuddy Bear; not more than 12inches tall
– Delivery;
– Packaging;
– Installation;
– Labelling;
– Display specifications;
– Artist information; and
– Collection or return of the artwork following the exhibition.
Finalists who fail to provide their artwork within the required timeframe may be withdrawn from the exhibition and, where necessary, replaced by another eligible entrant. Details will be provided in the selection letter IF you are selected as a finalist
The Organisers will communicate detailed logistical arrangements directly to the finalists.
DELIVERY ADDRESS ONLY IF SENDING A PHYSICAL REPRODUCTION OF YORUBUDDY – NOT MORE THAN 12 INCHES
OR A PAINTING OF YORUBUDDY 8 X 10 INCHES:
The German Consulate
No. 15 Walter Carrington Crescent
Victoria Island, Lagos
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10. Ownership of Artwork
Participation in the Competition does not, by itself, transfer ownership of an artwork to the Organisers.
Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing, artists retain ownership of their original artworks. Please see terms and conditions in the official letter relating to the winning concept.
Any separate agreement relating to the sale, acquisition, commission or transfer of an artwork shall be governed by its own terms.
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11. Intellectual Property and Promotional Use
Artists retain copyright in their original artworks, subject to the rights granted below.
By entering the Competition, entrants grant the Organisers a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to reproduce, publish, display and communicate images of their submitted artwork for purposes connected with:
– The Competition;
– The finalist exhibition;
– Promotion and publicity of the Competition;
– Yorubuddy-related cultural and artistic initiatives;
– Media coverage;
– Digital and social media communications;
– Websites and online galleries;
– Press releases and editorial materials; and
– Archival documentation of the Competition.
This licence may include the reproduction of the artist’s name, biography, photograph and artwork images alongside Competition-related publicity.
The licence does not constitute a transfer of copyright ownership.
The Organisers will make reasonable efforts to credit artists when their works are reproduced publicly.
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12. Photography, Filming and Media
The Competition and finalist exhibition may be photographed, filmed or otherwise documented.
By participating in the Competition or attending the finalist exhibition, finalists acknowledge that images or recordings of the exhibition and related activities may be used for legitimate promotional, editorial, archival and documentary purposes connected with the Competition and Yorubuddy.
Where appropriate, artists will be credited in promotional materials featuring their work.
These Terms and Conditions constitute a binding legal agreement between the artist and Yorubuddy Art Competition owners/organisers and by entering into the Competition and using the Yorubuddy.com website to submit their application, the artist is deemed to have fully accepted the terms, conditions and disclaimers contained in these Terms and Conditions and the Data Protection and Privacy Policy and Terms of Use of the Organiser’s Website (kindly refer to the Website for a review of the Policy and Terms of Use). By accessing and/or using the Website, the artist agrees that their personal data may be collected, stored, shared, processed, and used in accordance with the Policy and that their use of the Website will be guided by the Terms of Use.
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13. Winner
Following the finalist exhibition, the Jury will select one (1) overall winner.
The winner will be announced in December 2026.
The winner will be notified using the contact information supplied during the application process.
Any prize associated with the Competition will be awarded in accordance with the official Competition announcement or prize information published by the Organisers.
If a selected winner cannot be contacted within a reasonable period, fails to satisfy the Competition requirements, or is subsequently found to be ineligible, the Organisers reserve the right to take appropriate action, including selecting an alternative winner where applicable.
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14. Prize
The Competition prize of N1.5 million Naira, as specified in the official Competition announcement will be awarded by the German Consulate to the winner selected by the jury panel from the 10 finalists.
While a People’s Choice Vote will be held, there is no specific prize for the winner of the people’s choice vote.
Where the prize consists of money, goods, services, commissions, opportunities or other benefits, the Organisers reserve the right to provide the prize substantially as described, subject to availability and applicable law.
The Organisers are not responsible for any personal tax, customs, banking, transportation or other costs arising from acceptance or use of a prize unless expressly stated otherwise.
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15. Disqualification
The Organisers reserve the right to disqualify an entrant where they reasonably believe that the entrant:
– Has provided materially false or misleading information;
– Has submitted an artwork that is not their original work;
– Has infringed the rights of another person;
– Has breached these Terms & Conditions;
– Has attempted to manipulate or unfairly influence the Competition;
– Has submitted an ineligible artwork; or
– Has otherwise acted in a manner that materially compromises the integrity of the Competition.
– AI artists are NOT qualified as the final artwork must be painted or sculpted by a practicing artist.
– Digital artists must explain how they intend to execute the final production of their concept. Pre-printed materials to be stuck on with adhesives are NOT eligible.
– Textile designers, graphics designers, fashion designers are welcome but must articulate how they intend to finish the final Yorubuddy figure itself.
Where practicable, the entrant may be notified of the reason for disqualification.
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16. Artwork Safety and Insurance
Artists are responsible for ensuring that submitted artworks are appropriately packaged and prepared for transportation and exhibition.
The Organisers will communicate any specific insurance arrangements applicable to finalist artworks.
Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing, artists should not assume that the Organisers are responsible for loss, damage or deterioration occurring outside the Organisers’ direct custody or control.
Artists should retain appropriate records and documentation relating to their artworks.
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17. Changes to the Competition
The Organisers reserve the right, where reasonably necessary, to modify the Competition timetable, exhibition arrangements, submission process or other operational aspects of the Competition.
Where a significant change is made, the Organisers will make reasonable efforts to notify affected participants through the official Competition communication channels.
The Organisers may postpone, suspend or cancel the Competition where circumstances beyond their reasonable control make this necessary.
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18. Personal Information
Information submitted by entrants will be used for purposes reasonably necessary to administer the Competition, including:
– Processing applications;
– Contacting entrants;
– Evaluating submissions;
– Selecting finalists and the winner;
– Organising the exhibition;
– Publicising the Competition; and
– Maintaining Competition records.
The Organisers will handle personal information in accordance with applicable data-protection laws and their applicable privacy policy.
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19. Acceptance of Terms
By submitting an entry to the Yorubuddy Art Competition 2026, the entrant confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
Participation in the Competition constitutes acceptance of these Terms & Conditions and any additional requirements expressly incorporated into the official Competition brief.
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20. Interpretation
The Organisers reserve the right to interpret these Terms & Conditions reasonably and in a manner intended to preserve the integrity and artistic purpose of the Competition.
In the event of any ambiguity or inconsistency between these Terms & Conditions and other Competition materials, the Organisers will determine the applicable interpretation, subject to applicable law.
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21. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Any dispute arising in connection with the Competition shall be subject to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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22. Contact
For questions regarding the Yorubuddy Art Competition, eligibility, submissions or the finalist exhibition, entrants should contact the Competition Organisers through the official Yorubuddy Competition communication channels.
Yorubuddy Art Competition 2026
Open Call: 1–25 October 2026
Finalist Exhibition: 3 November 2026
Winner Announcement: December 2026
By entering, artists agree to these Terms & Conditions. If the artist does not accept these Terms and Conditions, they must immediately discontinue their submission on the Yorubuddy Website and cannot participate in the Competition.