Breaking Barriers and Building Bonds

After months of design and planning, the Nafasi Art Space community is excited to share some of the new spaces that are being developed at Nafasi. The long-planned renovations include a shop to showcase art prints, crafts and art merchandise; a new destination for researchers and education programs; a digital art lab; and enhanced amenities and accessibility for visitors.

Recently during the reporting period Nafasi Art Space has been able to continue implements its Strategic plan 2021/26 which focused on the following areas in addition we continue to ask for your support in spreading and raising awareness of different programs which are being hosted here at Nafasi Art Space 

Innovative and thriving art sector in Dar es Salaam

• Nafasi introduced the 2016-20 Strategic Plan as the first ever organisational strategic plan. Inthe past four years, Nafasi has not only achieved its ambitious goals but in many areas exceeded them, as well as learning important lessons that have shaped the development of a new five-year strategic plan which began implementation in the 2021-22 financial year which has led to successive programs including introduction of the Nafasi film Club every thursday , 3rd cohorts of Nafasi Academy 2022 , and new multidisciplinary artists members.

Increased independent art production and presentation

• During the project,Nafasi Art Space continue putting emphasis its children’s art space, developed additional studios for visual and performing artists, created new rehearsals and performance spaces, established an active music rehearsal studio, pioneered an arts management internship programme,Tanzania’s first contemporary arts academy, 

Increased education and exchange between Tanzanian artists and the local, regional and international art world

• By fostering a truly open space to express oneself and create art, Nafasi has protected and promoted freedom of expression and created inclusive access to cultural rights this experiences of art were created through the provision of studio spaces, artist residencies, workshop and exhibitions this resulted to Nafasi being to  host several international artists in residence programs include:  Klaus Hartman’s residence (Germany)  Erica Merly & Roger Peet (USA) , Jeremi Libenge (DRC) 

Increased visibility and awareness for contemporary art in Tanzania

• With safety measures in place, Nafasi Art Space is again open to the public and bursting with creativity and collaboration whereas since the beginning of this year Nafasi has hosted approximately 08  events under a series of “Tukutane Nafasi” monthly events including two events under Lete Stori welcoming talented art as well as short film screenings from the Nafasi Film Club and a feature film screening of “The Lost Okoroshi” from Nigeria and “High Fantasy” from South Africa, thus bring an overall total of 500 audiences attending Nafasi Art Space events ranging from 50-100 audiences each events hosted at Nafasi Art Space.
• There have also been improvement in the social media page engagement whereas Nafasi Art Space has been able improve its participation for example on Nafasi Art Space instagram followers have amounted to 12,900,  Nafasi Art Space has been rated 4.8 and verified on google business profile, also during the reporting period engage in reaching out the community through Whatsapp calls & groups

A sustainable and independent art institution drives innovation and excellence in the Tanzanian art sector: 

• Nafasi has continued to support the artistic growth and professional development of successive cohorts of multidisciplinary member artists including : ASEDEVA in April, Shine Dance and Muda Africa Dance who have established successful and sustainable new art centres after having been formerly based at Nafasi as studio or organisational members. The positive results are evidenced by their ability to make a living as full time artists, recognition from national and international art organisations, galleries, and prizes, and their ongoing commitment to telling authentic and socially relevant stories through their art.

The pandemic has changed our world and brought challenges, but it has also been an opportunity to rethink how we do things and to highlight just how essential art and culture can be to our community. For more updates concerning Nafasi Art Space programs kindly follow the linktree to visit on Nafasi Art Space Social Media platforms

Links:

• https://linktr.ee/nafasiartspace