Issue
In Eswatini there is a need to address the development of fine arts and the lack of overall arts education and creative opportunities. There is also a gap in the number of opportunities available for paid creative work and networking opportunities for local artists.
How we are helping
The grant will provide start-up capital needed to secure an available space to establish a platform for creative expression and learning exchange which will re-centre community arts projects and bridge the opportunity gap in Eswatini for local artists and creative endeavours.
About the project
Mbabane Art Space will be a small, dynamic, collaborative and sustainable art-space within the city centre that hosts manageable micro-creative events, artist meetings and a social working station. Events will vary from art exhibitions and onsite-residencies, to public talks, recitals, performances, readings and recordings, with a strong emphasis on themes related to creative entrepreneurship, freedom of speech, social justice issues, gender rights and environmental or climate action.
The space, together with its programming, will be a safe, independent, youth-focused and non-judgemental zone of inclusion for all participants and visitors, providing an important incubation area for alternative cultural development in the capital city.
Crucially, it will also act as a much needed, and long overdue, part-time office and meeting space for the collaborating entities, providing a reliable, secure and creative environment (with Wifi and other necessary amenities) for both strategic planning and action purposes. This will significantly boost overall organisational stability, impact and growth for the long-term to support arts and culture development.
Project Partners
We support people's participation in democracy and development by providing grants, platforms, and expertise.