The Young Congolese Creation Grants return in 2026 for their second edition, continuing their commitment to supporting and accompanying emerging artists from the Académie des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa.
Initiated by the Collection Gervanne & Matthias Leridon, the programme is developed in partnership with the Académie des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa, the Institut français de Kinshasa, Texaf Bilembo and the Cité internationale des arts in Paris. It aims to support the development of emerging Congolese artists while creating connections between the artistic communities of Kinshasa and Paris.
This year’s programme offers two forms of support. The Residency Grant provides one student from the Painting Department of the Académie des Beaux-Arts with a three-month residency at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris. The residency offers the opportunity to develop an artistic project, discover the Parisian cultural and artistic ecosystem, and engage with the many artists hosted by the Cité.
The Creation Grant provides a second student with financial support to develop their artistic practice and create new works in Kinshasa.
Twelve young artists selected as candidates
For this second edition, 12 students from the Painting Department of the Académie des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasawere selected to take part in the application process.
Recently graduated or approaching the end of their studies, these young artists presented their practices, artistic worlds and projects as part of their applications. The diversity of their approaches reflects the richness of the emerging contemporary art scene in Kinshasa.
The selection process continued on September 11, 2026, when the jury met at the Académie des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa.
A jury bringing together leading figures from the artistic and cultural scene
For this edition, the jury brought together recognised figures from the Congolese and international artistic and cultural scenes:
- Gervanne and Matthias Leridon, co-founders of the Collection Gervanne & Matthias Leridon and initiators of the Grants;
- Bénédicte Alliot, Director General of the Cité internationale des arts in Paris;
- Justine Martin, Cultural Action and Cooperation Advisor at the Embassy of France in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
- Prisca Tankwey, Head of the Painting Department at the Académie des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa;
- Pita Kalala, Congolese visual artist;
- Géraldine Tobe, Congolese visual artist and Director of LOSA – Maison des Arts de Kinshasa.
Meeting at the Académie, the jury members had the opportunity to meet the candidates and discuss their practices and projects before deliberating and selecting the two recipients of this year’s Grants.
Sarah Miandabu Tshibasu and Jemima Kamwanya Mbaya: the 2026 recipients
Following the jury’s deliberations, Sarah Miandabu Tshibasu was selected as the recipient of the Residency Grant.
She will undertake a three-month residency at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris, from November 2026 to January 2027. This residency will allow her to develop her artistic project while engaging with the Parisian art scene and the many artists hosted at the Cité.
Jemima Kamwanya Mbaya has been awarded the Creation Grant. This financial support will enable her to further develop her artistic practice and create new works in Kinshasa.
In addition to their respective grants, both recipients will benefit from professional support from the Collection Gervanne & Matthias Leridon team, as well as an exhibition at Texaf Bilembo in Kinshasa, where the results of their work will be presented following this period of support.
Supporting emerging Congolese artists over the long term
The Collection Gervanne & Matthias Leridon is delighted to continue, alongside its partners, this second edition of the Young Congolese Creation Grants.
Through this programme, the aim is to support young artists as they develop their professional careers by providing them with creative resources, time for research and production, as well as opportunities to build new connections and explore new perspectives.
Over the coming months, we will follow the projects of Sarah Miandabu Tshibasu and Jemima Kamwanya Mbayaand share the different stages of their journey, from the residency in Paris to the presentation of their work in Kinshasa.
Our warmest congratulations to both recipients and to all the candidates who took part in this second edition.
