Young kings Projects (Yk Projects) has practically been in existence since 2004, initially registered as a performing company in Nigeria, but due to the lack of appreciation of the arts and the disdain which tend to subject young artistes to a hostile environment, informed the coming together of a collaborative youth force, that operates between Nigeria and France as a not-for-profit company, it constantly re-unites new generation artists with legs in different sectors of the arts, amongst which are performing artistes, visual artistes and writers, for the execution and dissemination of artistic and socio-political projects, all with the intentions of creating an alternative landscape for the local audience to be aware of the art by projecting contemporary arts through outside performances, media and publications, thereby creating a conducive environment for their existence at home, and opening Nigeria to the realities of contemporary arts in other parts of the world.
The main Activities of the Organization includes;
- Creations and performances (Mainly Dance, New circus art and Street arts with the fusion of other media)
- Coverage and documentation of art related profiles, for media and archival purposes.
- Event Organizations (such as Ewa Bami'jo, public jams, workshops and conferences).
Yk Projects has left her imprint in the subconscious of many across the globe, getting more involved in the contemporary dance and circus art discourse in Africa, Europe and America at large, through stage performances, street happenings, archives of dance related materials, her documentary film, articles, blogs, workshops and participation in big festivals and conferences.
- In 2004 two young artiste were in Mali to participate in a two week workshop with Kettly Noel and Augusto Cuvilas representing the organisation
- Since 2005 we organised Ewa Bami’jo locally in Lagos, which literarily translates to COME DANCE WITH ME, An event that will later become a bi-annual and international event from 2009.
- In 2006 we participated in the 8th edition of FITHEB Festival in Cotonou, was invited to be part of the 6th African and Indian ocean choreographic encounters in Paris, also performed during the 1st Africa, Caribbean and Pacific festival in Santo Domingo and participated in a two day conference on Culture Wealth and economic development MAINTENANT L’AFRIQUE! in Paris.
- In 2007 the organisation executes a research project and happenings in non-conventional spaces titled Do we need cola-cola to dance? As part of the struggles for sustainable development and inspiring young artists to dream using alternative measures and enlarging our spaces of dream. It toured round Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Cameroon.
- In 2008, Yk Projects carries on with the realisation of a documentary film (Do we need cola-cola to dance?) that follows our 2007 research project. A work-in-progress seires of Do we need cola cola to dance? Has been screened in Lagos, Kinshasa, Massachusetts and Chicago
- Presently Yk Projects has moved on with the execution of a workshop series concept titled “Collection of those things that burn in us” whose series I was carried out in Lagos. Nigeria. April 2008, series II, in Massachusetts. USA. June 2008 and Series III, in Kinshasa. DR Congo. July/August 2008.
- In 2009, Yk Projects was part of an online festival 24hours24Artist, a webcast of 24 artistes from around the globe, an initiation of Jumpstart performance co. Texas.
