2024 Feel Free Grantees

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NAFASI ART SPACE

ABOUT US

In the heart of Mikocheni B’s industrial area, you will discover Nafasi Art Space- a vibrant art space dedicated to nurturing and fostering freedom of expression for artists as they go about their creative journeys

Since its inception in 2008, Nafasi Art Space has served as a dynamic hub where artists converge to create , interact, and collaborate .It has evolved into a home of endless possibilities, providing a ground for artists and curators to fuse their creative energies with expertise and innovation.

OUR VISION

Furthering and enriching human potential through arts.

OUR MISSION

To create a centre of excellence that promotes the creativity and professionalism of Tanzanian artists through training, exposure, cross-cultural dialogue and collaborative artistic endeavors.While the main vision remains, Nafasi hopes to attract more artists from different mediums/disciplines to be able to engage with the Nafasi community at greater level

OUR OBJECTIVES

Artist Development : Cultivating and nurturing the growth of artists

Audience Engagement: Facilitating meaningful connections between art and its viewers.

Collaborative Endeavors:Fostering partnerships and joint creative initiatives

Building Sustainability and Resilience: Ensuring the enduring vitality of the arts and our community

Feel Free Grant : Empowering Artistic Visions: Celebrating the Growth of Arts in 2024

Feel Free Grant is a grant implemented by Nafasi Art Space, and funded by the Norwegian embassy and Switerzland Embassy in Tanzania, which started in 2020. It is designed to encourage artists, cultural practitioners, organizations, and institutions from all artistic disciplines who love to create and connect with art - without placing restrictions on themes or topics that are driven by external influences.

Unlike other funds that artists have previously had access to for the longest time, which have restrictive rules on how artists should express and create art, leading to projects that are less impactful for artists and audiences. Feel Free grants set artists free from those chains to create projects that creatively engage audiences, and open new cultural dialogues while allowing them to build skills and expertise within the arts and cultural sector.

Within the dynamic fabric of Tanzanian culture, the Feel Free Grant has stood as a transformative force under the stewardship of Nafasi Art Space. This year marked a remarkable surge in applications, with an impressive total of 102 applicants, signifying a 3 03% increase from the previous year ' s 99 applicants and a substantial 36% increase from 2022, when only 75 applicants applied. This consistent rise in applications for the Feel Free Grant serves as a testament to the profound impact the grant is fostering within the Tanzanian arts industry.

The array of applications reflected a celebration of Tanzania's rich artistic diversity. With 66% male and 34% female applicants, a harmonious blend of voices and perspectives emerged, demonstrating the dynamic range within the creative landscape. The 37 applicants encompassed 36% individuals, 43% organizations, 19% groups, and 2% companies, highlighting the broadreaching impact of the Feel Free Grant across diverse artistic domains.

Empowering Artistic Visions: Celebrating the Growth of Arts in 2024

From a multitude of applicants, 16 finalists earned the privilege of presenting their visionary projects to the discerning Feel Free Grant selection committee. The final selection revealed 8 outstanding grantees, each a testament to the grant's commitment to creativity and innovation. Notably, 4 grantees are from Dar es Salaam, 1 from Zanzibar, 1 from Kilimanjaro, 1 from Mwanza, and 1 from Pwani. This year ' s grant will impact the regions of Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Kilimanjaro, Songea, Manyara, Zanzibar, and Mtwara and Iringa.

A notable accomplishment of the Feel Free Grant 2024 lies in its contribution to amplifying the voices of women in the artistic realm Among the 8 selected grantees, an impressive 4 are visionary women, highlighting the grant's significant role in empowering female artists, especially within the oftenneglected rural communities.

The financial commitment to these artistic visions is substantial, with a total grant amount of TZS 149,023,200 invested in fostering creativity and cultural vibrancy across Tanzania.

This transformative initiative actively encourages boldness, experimentation, and ambition, thanks to the unwavering support of these esteemed diplomatic partners. The Feel Free Grant is not merely a financial injection into the arts; it stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit between international stakeholders and local artists, resulting in a cultural renaissance where artists can explore the most captivating, challenging, and rewarding themes.

Empowering Artistic Visions: Celebrating the Growth of Arts in 2024

Behind the scenes of this artistic renaissance, the Feel Free Grant found invaluable support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania and the Royal Norwegian Embassy. Their steadfast commitment and financial backing have been instrumental in elevating the grant beyond mere funding, turning it into a transformative force for artistic growth in Tanzania.

Aligned with Nafasi Art Space's 2021-26 Strategic Plan, the Feel Free Grant strives not only to bolster artists' professional skills but also to foster collaborations and garner increased support from both the public and private sectors for the flourishing arts industry. The backing of the Embassy of Switzerland and the Royal Norwegian Embassy amplifies this impact, turning artistic dreams into reality.

grantees

BWAGAMOYO AFRICULTURE

Project Name: Bwagamoyo Africulture Summer Arts Festival

Project Location: Bagamoyo,Pwani

Media: Performing Arts

EMPOWERING LOCAL ARTISTS

The festival aims to empower local artists by providing them with training and a platform to share their artistic mediums. It is designed to encompass a series of performing arts performances, including art crafts sales, dance workshops, arts interventions, and archiving workshops. The primary objective is to create an inclusive platform for presenting, sharing, generating income, celebrating, and learning. Specifically, archiving workshops will be offered to document performances through traditional techniques and the application of new digital technologies. These workshops will not only impart creative knowledge, skills, and mastery to aspiring artists and practitioners but also communicate preservation tools and strategies related to traditional arts and performances The ultimate goal is to enhance traditional preservation knowledge and cultivate advanced practical skills for future applications.

LILIAN MUNUO

Project Name: Beyond the Label

Project Location:

Kilimanjaro and Dar Es Salaam

Media: String and Visual Arts

STRENGTHENING INCLUSIVITY IN ARTS

"Beyond the Label" is a transformative project aiming to reshape perceptions surrounding disability through artistic expression. Through art mediums such as string arts and painting, the project provides a platform for individuals with disabilities to challenge stereotypes and share their unique perspectives and experiences. By fostering inclusivity and advocacy, the project aims to inspire a broader understanding of diversity and promote equal access to artistic expression. Through art workshops, art exhibitions, podcasts, and documentary films, "Beyond the Label" strives to amplify the voices of disabled youth, fostering a more compassionate and supportive society where everyone can participate fully and thrive irrespective of their abilities.

THOBIAS MINZI

Project Name: Sanaa na Wanawake (SAWA)

Project Location: Mwanza and Dar Es Salaam

Media: Visual Arts

SUPPORTING WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN ARTS

Sanaa na Wanawake (SAWA) is a transformative initiative aimed at increasing the participation of women in the arts, particularly those residing in the rural areas of Mwanza who lack access to visual arts training. This comprehensive program is designed to equip young female artists with the necessary skills and knowledge in visual arts, from concept development to exhibition Through hands-on training sessions, participants will delve into various aspects of painting, learning techniques and methodologies that will enable them to effectively translate their creative visions into tangible artworks. Moreover, the project seeks to empower these emerging artists by providing them with essential business skills, ensuring that their artistic endeavors are not only expressions of creativity but also sustainable sources of income. The culmination of their efforts will be showcased through exhibitions held both in Mwanza and Dar es Salaam, serving as platforms to spotlight their talent and pave the way for new opportunities in their artistic journeys.

EKANDE TZ

Project Name: Batiki Mtaani

Project Location: Dar Es Salaam

Media: Craft

BATIK FOR STUDENTS AND WOMEN

Batik Mtaani is a groundbreaking initiative that seeks to impart the art of Batik making to secondary school students and empower women groups with valuable skills to generate additional income. This multifaceted project not only aims to share knowledge but also to foster economic empowerment within communities Batik Mtaani will embark on a comprehensive outreach effort, visiting 15 schools across five districts of Dar es Salaam: Kinondoni, Kigamboni, Ubungo, Temeke, and Ilala. Students will be equipped with the techniques and expertise needed to create Batik artworks through engaging workshops and hands-on demonstrations. Additionally, Batik Mtaani will establish Batik clubs within these schools, ensuring the initiative's sustainability beyond its duration

Moreover, Batik Mtaani extends its reach to empower women in local markets, providing them with the necessary skills to produce and sell Batik products. By equipping women with marketable skills, the project aims to enha buting to th Batik Mtaa ge but also o

KIJIWENI PRODUCTIONS

Project Name: Mobile Cinema

Project Location: Manyara,Iringa, Dar Es Salaam,, and Songea

Media: Film

A MOVING CINEMA

The project aims to utilize film as a powerful medium to not only educate but also spark critical conversations surrounding the urgent issue of reclaiming ancestors' remains from German museums. "The Empty Grave," the focal film of this initiative, depicts the poignant journey of two Tanzanian families endeavoring to reclaim their ancestors' remains, shedding light on themes of loss, resilience, and the power dynamics inherent in institutional settings.

In Tanzania, where the population is 61 million, access to cinemas is limited, with only nine cinemas primarily concentrated in Dar es Salaam As a result, Tanzanian films often struggle to reach a wider audience. To address this challenge and amplify the impact of "The Empty Grave," the project proposes the launch of a traveling mobile cinema impact campaign. Drawing inspiration from the mobile cinema methodology employed by pioneering African filmmakers during the era of independence, the Kijiweni mobile cinema initiative aims to directly engage communities by bringing films to them.

ASEDEVA

Project Name: Wimbo Huru imba kwa Uhuru

Project Location: Dar Es Salaam,Morogoro, Arusha,Mwanza,Mtwara, and Zanzibar

Media: Music

REDUCING THE GENDER GAP IN MUSIC INDUSTRY

The project aims to address the gender gap in the music industry. Through this initiative, young women aged 18 and above from rural areas in six regions in mainland Tanzania, who possess a passion for music but lack formal training, will receive a comprehensive education in vocal techniques and performance skills. The "Wimbo Huru, Imba Kwa Uhuru" project will empower these young women, thereby increasing their participation in the music sector and bridging the gender gap in the Tanzanian music industry.

ALLY BAHAROON

Project Name: Hadithi Hai

Project Location: Zanzibar

Media:

REVIVING LOCAL STORIES

Hadithi Hai is a theatre project that will be focused on promoting and performing excerpts of local literary works in public spaces. This project aims to encourage an appreciation for homegrown stories, poems, and other literary forms. By lifting scenes from the page and thrusting them on stage, audiences will have direct interaction with characters to create memorable experiences while preserving heritage and fostering a sense of cultural pride

MIHAYO KALLAYE

Project Name: Dinembo

Project Location: Dar es Salaam and Mtwara

Media: Tatoo Art

TACKLING TATTOO MISCONCEPTION

DINEMBO, derived from the Makonde language, roughly translates to "tattoo." The DINEMBO project represents a significant effort to revive African body art in today's world At its heart, this initiative aims to empower Tanzanian tattoo artists by immersing them in the rich history and authenticity of African tattooing. By delving into the origins and significance of African tattoo traditions, the project seeks to provide a platform for cultural restoration. Presently, the project is primarily focused on exploring Makonde spiritual body art.

“Feel Free Grant Project” is a special program organized by Nafasi Art Space, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania

The programme is meant to help new artists and art groups explore their ideas and connect with audiences better to encourage creativity and help artists and groups do their best work, making the art scene more exciting.

If you want to know more, email partnerships@nafasiartspace.org or call +255 757 820 426.

www.nafasiartspace.org @nafasiartspace