UVA Wins Bertha Artivism Award 2026
Lagos, Nigeria – The Bertha Foundation has officially announced the recipients of the Bertha Artivism Awards 2026, naming Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) as one of the seven global winners. This international recognition honors UVA’s pioneering work in leveraging art as a catalyst for social justice and systemic change.
The Bertha Artivism Awards support artists and organizations that use creative expression to mobilize communities. Rooted in the belief that art is a fundamental tool for justice, the awards support projects that create measurable impact in collaboration with social movements.
Championing Artistic Freedom in Nigeria
This award recognizes UVA’s extensive track record of harnessing the transformative power of music and art. To date, UVA has successfully executed:
- 9 Freedom Vibes concerts
- Over 50 advocacy campaigns and legal interventions for artists at risk across Nigeria.
- High-level policy forums driving reforms within Nigeria’s creative sector.
Launching “Freedom Vibes on the Move”
As a recipient of the award, UVA will launch “Freedom Vibes on the Move,” a nationwide artivism campaign designed to confront the rising threat of censorship in Nigeria. The initiative will blend creative productions with grassroots mobilization and policy advocacy to empower the creative community.
“We are incredibly honored by this recognition,” said Ayodele Ganiu, Executive Producer of UVA. “With ‘Freedom Vibes on the Move,’ we are excited to transform the heavy burden of censorship into a subject of satire and laughter, mobilizing a powerful multi-platform movement that champions free expression across Nigeria.”
UVA’s Award underscores the growing global recognition of African-led movements that fuse art, activism and policy engagement to advance democratic values and human rights.
For more information about Bertha Artivism Awards and the 7 winners of the 2026 edition, please visit https://berthafoundation.org/storytellers/#artivism-awards
About Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA)
Unchained Vibes Africa is a leading cultural organization harnessing the power of arts to promote civic engagement, human rights and the sustainable growth of Africa’s creative economy. Operating at the intersection of artistic freedom and digital innovation, UVA fosters a vibrant society where the arts serve as a catalyst for positive change.
