Nigeria, Spain Forge New Path for Arts Journalism Through Landmark Media Workshop at YSMA

Nigeria, Spain Forge New Path for Arts Journalism Through Landmark Media Workshop at YSMA

Journalists Urged to Become Cultural Stewards as Prado Museum, Casa África, Spanish Embassy and YSMA Deepen Arts Reporting Capacity

LAGOS, Nigeria – In a significant step towards strengthening arts and culture journalism in Africa, the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), Pan-Atlantic University, in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in Abuja, Casa África’s *Periodismo África* programme, and Spain’s world-renowned Museo del Prado, successfully hosted a two-day media workshop themed “New Narratives and Singular Communications in Arts Journalism: The Museo del Prado Experience.”

The landmark training programme, held on June 10 and 11, 2026, at the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, brought together journalists, editors, broadcasters, bloggers, digital content creators and media professionals from across Nigeria for intensive sessions aimed at improving the quality, depth and impact of arts and culture reporting.

The workshop represented a rare and strategic partnership between Nigerian and Spanish cultural institutions, designed to equip media practitioners with the knowledge, tools and global perspectives necessary to tell compelling stories about Africa’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, representatives of the Spanish Embassy and YSMA highlighted the objectives and expected learning outcomes of the programme, emphasizing the importance of strengthening arts journalism as a critical component of cultural development and public engagement.

Director of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Jess Castellote, provided participants with a comprehensive overview of Nigeria’s evolving art ecosystem. His presentation explored the interconnected roles of artists, galleries, collectors, museums, cultural institutions and policymakers in shaping the country’s creative landscape.

According to Castellote, understanding the complexities of the Nigerian art ecosystem is essential for journalists seeking to report accurately and meaningfully on the sector.

He noted that the session was designed to provide media practitioners with practical tools and critical insights that would enable them to cover Nigerian art with greater depth, context and professionalism.

Castellote also examined the vital role of journalism within the Nigerian art ecosystem, stressing that informed and responsible reporting can help increase public appreciation of art, support cultural preservation efforts and strengthen connections between artists and audiences.

Another major highlight of the workshop was a presentation by **Dr. Nwachukwu Egbunike** of Pan-Atlantic University, who explored the growing influence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in modern storytelling.

Dr. Egbunike introduced participants to emerging digital tools that can enhance journalistic practice while emphasizing the need for ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence in content creation, research and reporting.

His session encouraged journalists to embrace technological innovation without compromising professional standards, accuracy, credibility and editorial integrity.

Delivering one of the workshop’s keynote presentations, Carlos Chaguaceda, Director of Communications at Spain’s prestigious Museo del Prado, challenged participants to rethink their role within society.

“Arts and culture journalists are not merely messengers; they are cultural stewards,” Chaguaceda said.

He explained that the workshop was conceived to combine the globally recognized communications expertise of the Museo del Prado—renowned for its innovative public engagement strategies and exemplary media relations—with YSMA’s deep understanding of local content development and capacity-building initiatives.

According to him, the partnership demonstrates how international collaboration can enrich cultural reporting while helping journalists develop fresh approaches to storytelling that resonate with contemporary audiences.

Chaguaceda further shared insights into the Prado Museum’s successful communication strategies, highlighting how institutions can make art more accessible, relevant and engaging to the public through effective media engagement.

Throughout the two-day programme, participants engaged in discussions, presentations and interactive learning sessions focused on developing new narratives for arts reporting, strengthening cultural communication, leveraging digital platforms and expanding audience engagement.

The workshop also provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing media professionals to exchange ideas with cultural experts, academics and museum practitioners from both Nigeria and Spain.

Participants drawn from print, broadcast, online and social media platforms described the training as timely and impactful, particularly at a moment when the arts and culture sector continues to seek greater visibility within mainstream media coverage.

Observers noted that the initiative marks an important milestone in efforts to elevate arts journalism in Nigeria and across Africa, while fostering stronger cultural ties between Nigeria and Spain.

As the programme concluded, participants left with renewed perspectives on the power of arts journalism to document heritage, shape cultural conversations and promote creative industries.

The workshop reaffirmed the belief that quality arts reporting is not merely about covering exhibitions and events, but about telling stories that preserve memory, inspire communities and contribute meaningfully to cultural development.

With the successful collaboration between YSMA, the Spanish Embassy, Casa África and the Museo del Prado, stakeholders expressed optimism that similar initiatives will continue to empower journalists and strengthen arts and culture reporting throughout the continent.