Benin Arts and Books Festival

Welcome To The Benin Arts and Books Festival

Why You Should join us at BAABFest

The Benin Arts And Books festival is set to build and provide a platform of visibility and connection between established and budding writers and all forms of art creators in Edo state and those in the diaspora.


We are a consortium of like-minded creatives within Edo state who share a vision of achieving connectivity, visibility, accessibility, and enlightenment (CAVE) amongst budding and seasoned writers in and from Edo state. We are invested in creating an all-inclusive space (CAVE) for whole expressions of creative ideas and voices that define and chronicle the happenings of their time in diverse forms of art. We aim to serve as a platform of connectivity, accessibility and visibility amongst budding and seasoned writers and artists in Edo state, in Nigeria and of course, Nigerian artists in the diaspora as well.

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Our Events

Events offered by BAABFest Visitors

Call for more info

+2348106254780

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Poetry open mic sessions
From mindblowing performance poetry to poetry readings, we will be having a lot of poetry at BAABfest.
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Panel Discussions
Each year, we assemble a host of artists, writers, visual artists and filmakers,where we shall share stories and ideas reflecting and promoting the Edo culture and heritage.
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Exhibitions
Creative masterpieces crafted by seasoned and talented thespians are one great way of celebrating the arts and heritage of our culture.

Our Highlights

Let's See Our BAABFest highlights from previous events.

Residency

Introducing our Rongo Residency programme

Inspired by the Māori concept of Rongo—peace and harmony—this residency is a sanctuary for artists to create away from the bustle of everyday life. Designed as a retreat for deep reflection and artistic growth, the program connects residents with expert mentors while providing a serene environment to focus entirely on their craft. Each cycle rotates between disciplines, ensuring a curated experience for all participants.

Who Can Apply?

The Rongo Artist Residency is open to:

  1. Artists in the following disciplines:
    - Writers(fiction, nonfiction, poetry)
    - Visual Artists (painters, sculptors, filmmakers, photographers)
    - Theatre & Performing Artists (actors, directors, performance poets, choreographers)
  2. Eligibility Requirements:
    - Must be a current resident of Nigeria
    - Must have at least 3 years of active practice in their artistic discipline.
Benefits

01

-Fully funded accommodation in a peaceful, inspiring setting.
-Transportation stipends to residents outside Benin City

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02

-Daily meals to fuel creativity without logistical burdens.
- Access to equipment and workspace tailored to your discipline.

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03

- Mentorship from leading professionals in your field.
- A structured residency schedule (provided upon acceptance) to maximize productivity

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