Ainga is a polysemic Malagasy term. It has its roots in the words fibatana meaning “to lift,” fialana meaning “to start,” hevitra mitombina iaingana translating as “basic principle,” mandeha evoking the idea of leaving, and tombon-dalana which means having a head-start in a race.
Ainga is the combination of all these notions, and takes shape in the context of Fondation H by supporting the careers of artists from the Indian Ocean through the organization of intensive, professionalizing workshops held regularly in Antananarivo. The Ainga program is entirely free of charge.
Since 2023, Fondation H has been an accredited training organization by the Malagasy State. This enables it, in the absence of training linked to the artist's profession in Madagascar, to issue state-certified training attestations to artists taking part in the various Ainga modules.
This module, held as part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Prix Paritana, is intended for potential applicants to this 10th edition. Condensed into a one-day session, it aims to support emerging Malagasy artists in entering the international art ecosystem and to prepare them to apply for a contemporary art prize, using Prix Paritana 2026 as a practical case study.
Module objectives
• To help artists better understand the key players within the international professional art world
• To support artists in building and defining their artistic practice
• To provide concrete professional tools for applying to career opportunities: CV, portfolio, project proposal, and budget
• To facilitate familiarity with Prix Paritana application process
Methodology and approach
• Theoretical presentation illustrated with concrete examples
• Practical exercises
• Q&A session
This module is organised as part of the MAYAZ PRO project: an Indian Ocean artistic exchange and professional development programme led by Documents d’artistes La Réunion, Move for Art in Mauritius, and Fondation H in Madagascar.
It is intended for intermediate to advanced art critics, cultural journalists, and writers/researchers from the three partner territories: Madagascar, Mauritius, and La Réunion. The module is led by Leïla Quillacq, an independent writer and lecturer in aesthetics and art theory at the École supérieure d’art de La Réunion.
It follows on from the critical and journalistic writing module organised by Fondation H in December 2025, led by curator Ayoko Mensah, and aims to strengthen the capacities of Malagasy critical writers while opening up to voices from neighbouring islands.
This project is funded by the European Union as part of the INTERREG VI Indian Ocean programme, managed by the Région Réunion.
Module objectives
•To revisit the roles and responsibilities of the art critic
•To strengthen critical analysis of an artwork (observing, describing, analysing, interpreting, and incorporating subjectivity)
•To develop critical writing by working on structure, style, and the grounding of ideas
•To structure the editorial line of a final fanzine
•To produce critical texts suitable for publication in a fanzine
Methodology and approach
•A combination of theory and practice
•Immersion in a contemporary art centre through the two exhibitions currently on view at Fondation H
•Writing exercises, feedback sessions, and publication
• Be an artist, cultural professional, or journalist
• Be available to attend all training sessions in person
• Call for applications – dates to be announced