Creative Arts Spaces in Kenya announces workshop dates

Launched by the French embassy in Kenya in 2021, CASiK, through Alliance Française Nairobi and Mombasa, has been supporting five different arts and cultural spaces in the Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi, Mombasa and Lamu counties.

The project aims to create a network of accredited and functional performance venues to raise the profile of arts and culture beyond the capital Nairobi.

CASiK project coordinator Beth Achitsa says the project’s mission is to facilitate the creation and promotion of the diversity of the country’s artistic and cultural expressions in line with the objectives of the Kenyan government.

“CASiK will be a landmark project that fosters how artists within Kenya are able to collaborate and reach new audiences,” she said. “The ability of an artist to showcase their work at five unique venues with adequate technical and artistic infrastructure will now be a reality. Our goal is to allow our partners access to high level programming to introduce audiences at the grassroots level while enabling artists to tour throughout the country.”

The workshops will be followed by a series of inaugural national tours that will initiate cooperation on artistic programming across the venues while facilitating artist mobility and pooling of resources.

Below are the dates for the workshops and description of the venues:

• 26 April – Dunga Hill Camp, Kisumu
• 4 May – Sarakasi Trust, Nairobi
• 10 May – Nakuru Players Society, Nakuru
• 17 May – Swahili pot Hub Mombasa, Mombasa
• 19 May – Lamu Youth Alliance, Lamu.

Artists interested in participating are required to register with the venues nearest to them a week before the start of the workshops. More information is available on CASiK Instagram page.

Dunga Hill Camp, Kisumu

A fast-growing arts and cultural space in the Lakeside City of Kisumu, Dunga Hill is an outdoor live events venue located on the shores of Lake Victoria. Through its regular arts programming, Dunga Hill Camp already plays a role in supporting both established and upcoming artists.

Nakuru Players Society, Nakuru

Established in 1949, Nakuru Players Society has been supporting the arts in the Rift Valley. It regularly presents live acts across different performing arts, and hosts film and theatre festivals.

Sarakasi Trust, Nairobi

Situated in one of Nairobi’s iconic buildings, Sarakasi Dome, Sarakasi Trust was established in 2001 to facilitate training and performance opportunities for acrobats and dancers. The venue seeks to develop programming that empowers the youth.

Swahili Pot Hub Foundation, Mombasa

A vibrant venue, Swahili Pot Hub sits at the intersection of arts and technology. With the youth at the core of its programming, the venue has become a vibrant space in the cultural and tech areas in Mombasa.

Lamu Youth Alliance, Lamu

Established as a community-based organisation, Lamu Youth Alliance, through its artistic anchor platform ArCH Lamu, provides a space for arts and cultural training and performance for the Lamu youth. It also seeks to promote and preserve the island’s traditional cultural practices.