…partners Spanish embassy, Casa Africa & Museo del Prado on 2-day workshop for culture journalists
There was no better space to hold the recent 2-day international workshop for arts and culture journalists in Lagos than the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA).
In the calming, sophisticated halls of this museum located within the Pan-Atlantic University campus in Ibeju-Lekki, a quiet revolution is taking place.
A guided tour during the immersive workshop revealed how the museum’s walls are adorned with over 1,000 priceless pieces of Nigerian heritage from art masters such as Ben Enwonwu, Yusuf Grillo, Simon Okeke, Abayomi Barber, El Anatsui, Lamidi Fakeye, etc, as well as works by so many bold contemporary voices.
The tour of the facility also revealed that the YSMA is doing more than just housing art. It is actively shaping the future of how African stories are told.
On June 10th and 11th, 2026, this iconic 900-square-meter facility turned into the focal point of a landmark collaboration. In a calculated move to assist in horning the skills of journalists who chronicle and project African history and heritage, the YSMA hosted the two-day intensive workshop titled “New Narratives and Singular Communication in Arts Journalism: The Museo del Prado Experience.”
With a gathering of 35 journalists, including bloggers and digital creators, the event was a masterclass in the intersection of tradition and technology. It was not just a workshop or a rallying cry for media professionals to step into their roles as “cultural stewards,” it was designed to strengthen arts journalism, cultural communication, and media engagement within Nigeria’s growing creative ecosystem.
A global bridge in the heart of Lagos
The workshop was organized by the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art in partnership with the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria and Casa África through its #PeriodismoÁfrica programme, with the support of the Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, and Art Report Africa as media partner.
The partnership between Spain and Nigeria was as ambitious as it was prestigious, creating an exceptional environment where local expertise met international best practices.
After Spanish Embassy’s Cultural Adviser, Eva Barta, who coordinated the entire workshop, gave her welcome remarks, which highlighted the objectives and expected learning outcomes of the workshop, the Director, YSMA, Dr. Jess Castellote, set the ball rolling. With a career dedicated to the Nigerian art ecosystem, Castellote challenged the participants to look beyond the surface.
He demystified the hidden mechanics of value, validation, and storytelling in the art world in his workshop presentation titled the Art Ecosystem and the Journalist’s Mandate. According to him, “A healthy cultural ecosystem requires informed and engaged journalism. Museums preserve and interpret culture, but journalists help amplify those conversations in the public sphere. At YSMA, we believe that the future of the art history of Nigeria depends partly on the stories journalists choose to tell today. This workshop created an opportunity for media professionals, academics, and cultural practitioners to reflect together on the opportunities and responsibilities of reporting on the arts. We hope this experience refines the quality of cultural journalism, which ultimately shapes the visibility, understanding, and value society places on culture itself.”
The “Prado Effect”: Rethinking Communication
Perhaps the most captivating element of the workshop was the infusion of the Museo del Prado’s philosophy. Carlos Chaguaceda, the museum’s Director of Communications, through his keynote presentation titled, “The Prado and the Will to Communicate,” challenged the audience to reconsider their influence.
“Arts and culture journalists are not merely messengers; they are cultural stewards,” Chaguaceda stated.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading museums, the Museo del Prado, founded in 1819, welcomes more than 3.5 million visitors annually and reaches millions more through its digital platforms. In recent years, the institution has emerged as a global reference point in cultural communication, earning international recognition for its innovative public engagement strategies, including multiple Webby Awards and recognition among the world’s leading social media initiatives. Drawing from Prado’s experience, Chaguaceda shared insights into how museums and cultural institutions can build meaningful relationships with audiences, create compelling narratives, and generate public value through strategic communication.
Navigating the Digital Frontier
Lecture on the now trending technology known as AI was not left out. As the industry struggles to find its feet with the rise of artificial intelligence, the workshop offered a grounding perspective.
A senior academic at Pan-Atlantic University, Dr. Nwachukwu Egbunike led the session on the ethical use of AI. It was themed, “Digital Tools & AI For Responsible Storytelling”.
Listening first to some reservations about certain perceived disadvantages of incorporating AI in arts journalism, Dr Egbunike urged journalists to embrace technological innovation not as a replacement for human judgment, but as a catalyst for deeper research and more creative storytelling.
Casa África, a public diplomacy institution linked to Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and dedicated to strengthening relations between Spain and Africa through culture, education, media, and knowledge exchange, supported the initiative through its #PeriodismoÁfrica programme, which focuses on strengthening journalism and media practice across the African continent.
In his remarks, the coordinator of the #PeriodismoÁfrica programme at Casa África, Joan Tusell, stated that “The way culture is reported shapes how societies understand themselves and how the world understands Africa. Cultural journalism is not simply about documenting events; it helps preserve memory, interpret change, and connect communities through shared stories. Through #PeriodismoÁfrica, we seek to support journalists who tell richer and more nuanced stories about African realities. Bringing the communication experience of the Museo del Prado to Lagos was an opportunity to facilitate a practical exchange of ideas and experiences that we hope will inspire journalists and cultural institutions alike to build stronger narratives and greater public engagement around arts and culture.”
Through a panel conversation, participants also engaged with leading voices from journalism, academia, and the arts, including Dr. Ike Obiaya, Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University; Sunshine Alaibe, Director of Art Report Africa; and Wale Alimi, artist.
A Legacy in the Making
For the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, the workshop reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening the cultural ecosystem through education, dialogue, and professional development.
The successful workshop reinforces YSMA’s growing role as a convener of critical conversations within Nigeria’s cultural and creative sectors. Over the years, the museum has consistently invested in workshops, professional exchanges, and training initiatives designed to strengthen cultural literacy, support creative practitioners, and build capacity among stakeholders across the arts ecosystem.
As one of Africa’s leading university museums, YSMA continues to position itself not only as a repository of Nigerian art and heritage, but also as a platform for learning, research, dialogue, and sector-wide development.
.Originally written by Prisca Sam-Duru and published in Vanguard Newspaper
