Red Soil Collective, an art-driven, community-centred movement nurturing radical African imagination through storytelling, public engagement, and cultural innovation, is partnering with the Edo State Government, through its Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Health, to host a groundbreaking two-day event tagged ‘Reboot Edo’.
The event, slated to hold in August 2025, comes under the theme ‘Reset, Rethink, Reimagine’.
Positioned at the intersection of art and tech, Reboot Edo is a call to reconnect Edo’s creative energy with civic purpose and institutional support, Red Soil Collective said in a press statement sent to Nigeria News Source on Wednesday. It said the event serves as a platform for rebuilding trust between the government and creative communities, while championing the growth of a sustainable creative economy in Edo State.
“Reboot Edo is more than an event—it’s a restoration of trust, identity, and cultural confidence,” said the founder of Red Soil Collective, Colored Boi. “It’s time to imagine new systems where creators are seen, heard, cared for, and empowered.”
Programme lineup
According to the statement by Red Soil Collective, Day 1 of the event will feature community health outreach for creatives & the public.
“In partnership with the Ministry of Health, Day 1 will host a free medical outreach specifically designed for creatives, cultural practitioners, and the general public,” the statement said.
It said the outreach will offer general health screenings, mental wellness consultations, preventive care education, and access to basic medications.
It further said the initiative addresses a long-overdue conversation: How do we care for those who care for culture?
Day 2 of the event will bring together artists, cultural producers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and institutions to discuss how Edo State can unlock its creative capital as a driver of economic growth under the Creative Stakeholders’ Convergence.
The statement said confirmed segments for the Day 2 programme include:
• Keynote talks from pioneering art and tech voices
• Panel discussions on several topics, including ‘Health is Wealth: Wellness in the Creative Industry’, ‘Cultural Policy as Infrastructure’, ‘Funding the Future: Creative Economy & Youth Employment’, and ‘AI and Edo State’.
• Fireside chats & roundtables
• Networking & creative showcases
It said venues and the full list of panelists/guests will be revealed soon.
Exhibition & open call for artists
Reboot Edo has been structured to feature a curated multi-disciplinary exhibition spotlighting works that reflect Edo’s resilience, identity, and artistic ingenuity.
To ensure open access and inclusivity, Red Soil Collective said it will launch an Open Call for Artists on July 12, 2025, with the theme “Reimagined”, adding that artists working in visual arts, AI, Ar, VR, performance, film & multimedia, digital installation, experimental designs, etc. are invited to submit works that speak to the theme.
It said the selected works will be exhibited during the Convergence, while details and application link will be available on www.weareredsoil.org.ng and all official Red Soil channels.
Partnership & sponsorship invitation
Red Soil Collective announced that Reboot Edo is actively welcoming support from corporate sponsors, cultural institutions, media houses, NGOs and community-aligned brands, and art and tech communities.
“Your partnership and sponsorship will directly support a growing movement of creators, thinkers, and change-makers reshaping the future of Edo through creativity and care,” it said.
It called on intending partners or sponsors to reach out via partnerships@weareredsoil.org.ng, while those seeking to make media inquiries should send an email via press@weareredsoil.org.ng.
