Yinka Shonibare Foundation

What Yinka Shonibare Foundation does

The Yinka Shonibare Foundation (YSF) is a UK-registered charity (charity number 1183321) founded in 2019 by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA. Operating from London headquarters in Hackney, the Foundation is dedicated to facilitating international cultural exchange and supporting creative practices through residencies, collaborations, and education projects. It works in partnership with its Nigerian counterpart, Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation, which delivers programmes across two physical sites: G.A.S. Lagos (a cultural hub in Oniru with residency bedrooms, event space, and the G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive) and G.A.S. Farm House (a 54-acre sustainable farm near Ijebu Ode with dedicated studio and residency facilities). Together, the organisations host fully funded multidisciplinary residencies for 35+ artists, curators, researchers, archivists, designers, and ecologists annually, and have welcomed 85+ residents spanning 12+ countries by June 2025.

The Foundation's programmatic portfolio is thematically organised around Materiality, Ecology/Farming/Food, and Archives/Publishing, with flagship initiatives including the G.A.S. Fellowship Award (fully funded residencies for Nigerian, U.S.-based, African-based, and diaspora creatives), Re:assemblages (a multi-year programme on African art libraries and publishing ecologies), and Guest Projects Digital (a digital residency programme launched in 2020 in response to COVID-19). Its ecosystem is supported by an international board of trustees chaired by the founder, with distinguished advisors and a network of institutional partners including Terra Foundation for American Art, Floating Museum, Triangle Network, TheMuseumsLab, and Spelman College. Distribution is achieved through high-visibility platforms such as the 61st Venice Biennale (2026), Art X Lagos, and a dedicated Philanthropy and Patrons function.

The Foundation's revenue model is grant- and donation-dependent. It operates a tiered Patron Programme with annual subscriptions ranging from £1,000 (Bronze) to £50,000 (Global Circle, by invitation), and generates supplementary income through fundraising events such as art auctions (e.g., the 2020 Phillips New Now auction). Charitable donations from individuals, public and private funders, and global supporters fund residencies, research, education programmes, and public events in the UK and Nigeria. All capital and building costs have been funded personally by the founder, providing a structurally lower fixed-cost base than comparable non-profit operators. No fees are charged to residency participants; all fellowships are fully funded.

Name

Yinka Shonibare Foundation

Legal name

Yinka Shonibare Foundation

Website

https://www.yinkashonibarefoundation.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UK-registered charity founded in 2019 by Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, operating in partnership with Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation in Nigeria to deliver fully funded multidisciplinary artist residencies, education, and cultural exchange programmes across sites in Lagos and Ijebu Ode.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artist Residency and Cultural Exchange Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ), Volunteer Program Funding, Scholarships & Fundraising Support (EDAIAGAO), Conservation & Research Lodges (Citizen Science, Field Stations with Guests) (THAAAHAJ)

Keywords

• Artist residencies
• Cultural exchange programmes
• Fellowship awards
• Arts education
• Contemporary art patronage

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: The Foundation relies on charitable donations from individuals, public and private funders, supporters, and organisations globally. Donations support residencies, research, education programmes, and public events in the UK and Nigeria.
2. Patron Programme: Annual patronage subscriptions at multiple tiers (£1,000 Bronze, £5,000 Silver, £10,000 Gold, £20,000 Platinum, £50,000 Global Circle by invitation) providing recognition, event access, and exclusive experiences in exchange for sustained financial support.
3. Fundraising Events: Periodic fundraising activities including art auctions (e.g., Phillips New Now auction partnership) where works are donated by artists and proceeds benefit the Foundation's programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Yinka Shonibare Foundation is a UK-registered charity that delivers fully-funded artist residencies, fellowships, and education programmes in partnership with its Nigerian counterpart Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation. It operates two physical residency sites in Nigeria — G.A.S. Lagos (Oniru) and G.A.S. Farm House (a 54-acre farm near Ijebu Ode) — plus Guest Projects Digital, an online residency offering. Programmes include the G.A.S. Fellowship Award (multi-category, fully-funded), Re:assemblages (a multi-year African art library programme), public events, and the Picton Archive / G.A.S. Library research resource.

Product overview

The Yinka Shonibare Foundation is a UK-registered charity that supports international cultural exchange through residencies, collaborations, and education projects. Working in partnership with Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation in Nigeria, the organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programmes including G.A.S. Lagos (a cultural hub in Oniru, Lagos with residency bedrooms, event space, and the G.A.S. Library and Picton Archive), the G.A.S. Farm House (a rural sustainability-focused residency on a 54-acre farm in Ijebu), Guest Projects Digital (a digital residency programme), the G.A.S. Fellowship Award (offering fully funded residencies), and the Re:assemblages programme (a multi-year initiative focused on African art libraries). Together these offerings provide interdisciplinary residencies, public programmes, and research opportunities for artists, curators, researchers, and creative practitioners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• G.A.S. Fellowship Award: Fully funded residency award programme supporting artists and cultural practitioners, with categories for African-based, diaspora, and U.S. based artists
• Re:assemblages
• Annotations

Products and services

• Guest Artists Space (G.A.S.) Foundation Residency Programme
• Guest Projects Digital
• G.A.S. Fellowship Award
• Re:assemblages
• Patron Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• 85 residents hosted by June 2025 (growth from 44 in January 2024)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Floating MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Chicago-based nonprofit art collective partnering through The Burroughs Residency, enabling exchange programme between Nigeria and the United States. Selected artists participate in translocal residencies at both organisations' facilities.
• PhillipsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2020Auction house partnered with YSF for New Now auction in December 2020, featuring 10 works donated by artists including Olafur Eliasson, Antony Gormley, Kara Walker to benefit YSF and G.A.S. residencies.
• Spelman CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership facilitating internships for Atlanta University Center Art History + Curatorial Studies Collective students within the Annotations Research Associate Programme.
• Triangle NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of artists and visual arts organisations supporting professional development and cultural exchange. Supported YSF through London Community Response Fund and is acknowledged as a partner.
• GasworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit contemporary visual art organisation, hub of Triangle Network. Partnered with YSF for London Community Response Fund support during COVID-19 digital programming.
• TheMuseumsLabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2025, G.A.S. Foundation joined TheMuseumsLab Partner Museums Network. Short-term exchange residencies support knowledge sharing, skills development, and long-term partnerships between Fellows and host institutions.
• Chapel & YorkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUS-based 501(c)(3) organisation enabling US donors to make tax-efficient donations to YSF through an Affiliate Fund. Chapel & York deducts 3% administration fee.
• Elsie Owusu ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm that designed the G.A.S. Lagos residency centre featuring gallery, studio, and accommodation spaces - all barrier-free and wheelchair accessible.
• Archival ConsciousnessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with G.A.S. Foundation to design the 7-week Annotations Research Associates Programme focusing on pan-African festivals.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gasworks: London-based non-profit contemporary visual arts organisation and hub of the Triangle Network, running artist residencies and international exchange. Direct peer — explicitly named as a YSF partner for the London Community Response Fund and residency referral pathways.
• Delfina Foundation: London-based charity running international artist residencies, commissions, and exhibitions with thematic programming and a patron/collector base. Closely comparable as a UK residency charity operating artist residencies and a London-based creative exchange programme.
• Triangle Network: Global network of artists and visual arts organisations supporting professional development and cultural exchange, of which Gasworks is the London hub. Direct peer — explicitly acknowledged as a YSF partner supporting professional development and exchange.
• Floating Museum: Chicago-based non-profit art collective that partners with cultural institutions to build temporary, site-responsive projects. Direct peer — active partner via the Burroughs Residency exchange programme facilitating translocal residencies between Nigeria and the United States.
• Ruya Foundation: Iraq-focused non-profit supporting contemporary Iraqi art through grants, residencies, and documentation. Comparable as a non-profit that funds residencies and cultural preservation for an under-represented regional artistic community, with grantmaking and partnership models similar to YSF.
• The Africa Centre: London-based institution dedicated to contemporary African and African diaspora arts, culture, and policy. Comparable as a UK-based platform for African artistic practice with residency-adjacent programming, exhibitions, and convenings.
• Artis: New York-based non-profit supporting Israeli artists engaged with social and political questions through international residencies. Direct peer — an active YSF financial partner funding residency placements at G.A.S. for Israeli artists.

Broad incumbents

• Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo: Italian arts foundation supporting residencies, exhibitions, and emerging artists with an international scope. Comparable as a European arts foundation running curated residency and exhibition programmes with international partners and emerging-artist focus.

Emerging players

• Black Cultural Archives: UK-based heritage institution preserving Black British history through archives, exhibitions, and learning programmes. Adjacent peer — comparable London-based Black cultural heritage and archive mission, though with a UK-Diaspora rather than West Africa primary focus.

Regional players

• CCA Lagos / African Artists' Foundation: Lagos-based non-profit supporting contemporary African art through exhibitions, residencies, and development programmes. Regional peer — Lagos-based, overlapping community of artists and art professionals (the foundation's Communications Executive previously worked there as Development Manager), with overlapping curatorial focus on contemporary African practice.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user103714619
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/guest-artists-space-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/gasfoundation
• Xx.com/YShonibarefndn
• Facebookfacebook.com/YinkaShonibareFndn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yinka Shonibare Foundation