Launched as part of Ventures Platform’s 10th anniversary, the initiative combines two complementary pillars, both unfolding over three years from 2026: a structured student engagement platform designed to deepen entrepreneurial development within the Pan-Atlantic University ecosystem, and a futures-focused public art commissioning programme called the Ventures Platform–YSMA Futures Art Award.

Powering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

At the heart of the collaboration is a student engagement component embedded within the University’s educational curriculum. Through a series of guest lectures, masterclasses, and practical sessions, Ventures Platform will provide students with direct access to experienced investors and operators, including members of the Ventures Platform team.

These engagements are designed to move beyond theory, offering practical insights into building scalable, high-growth ventures and navigating real-world entrepreneurial challenges.

Facilitated by YSMA as a bridge within the University, this component aligns with Pan-Atlantic University’s commitment to experiential learning, extending the Museum’s track record of supporting academic programmes through Object-Based Learning and interdisciplinary engagement.

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/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 here for eligibility, guidelines, and submissions.

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The one-day programme, held on March 6, 2025, brought together thirty-one community leaders from Itamapako, Ogun State, offering them a transformative experience in cultural awareness, visual literacy, artistic expression, and leadership.

The initiative was in line with the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 theme, Accelerate Action, and addressed core priorities of the global IWD movement including: expanding women’s access to quality education and training; promoting the creative talent of women; and advancing women’s leadership, service and impact.

The museum partnered with the Educational Co-operation Society (ECS) and Zabalketa NGO, two organizations committed to social transformation through education and international cooperation.

Speaking on the significance of the programme, the Museum Director, Jess Castellote remarked:

“At YSMA, we believe that art is a powerful tool for social change. By empowering these women leaders through cultural inclusion, we are not only enriching their lives but also strengthening the fabric of our communities.”

Reflecting on the role of education in women’s empowerment, the Project Manager of ECS, Wilfred Dieke said:

“Our collaboration with YSMA and Zabalketa in this programme underscores our commitment to education and character formation. Women’s leadership is strengthened when they have access to knowledge and creative resources. We are proud to support initiatives that provide women with the skills and confidence to lead and inspire others.”

The Technical Coordinator for International Cooperation Projects at Zabalketa, Susana Mateo praised the programme’s impact in her remarks:

“This initiative demonstrates how right to culture and education is a strategic tool for empowering women, and advancing gender equality and social progress. It is very important for us and our sponsor, the Basque Government, because we are contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society.”

This initiative reinforces Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art’s commitment to social inclusion and sustainable development through the arts, further integrating its mission of service, education, and impact within local and global conversations.

By aligning with international efforts to accelerate progress for women, YSMA continues to set the standard for how art institutions can drive meaningful change beyond their gallery walls.

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