By Jeremiah Adam | Marketing Coordinator
GlobalGiving Report
In Summary
The year 2025 has marked a dynamic and inspiring period at Nafasi Art Space, reflecting its ongoing commitment to nurturing artistic talent, fostering inclusion, and deepening cultural engagement through a range of thoughtfully designed programs and initiatives. This report captures highlights from the first quarter of 2025, underscoring Nafasi’s efforts in capacity building, residency support, film and exhibition activities, as well as its expanding digital presence and media outreach.
Curatorial and Arts Management
Cohort Nafasi’s dedication to cultivating a new generation of curators and arts managers took a significant leap forward with the onboarding of the 2025 Curatorial and Arts Management cohort. Early in the year, a rigorous selection process drew 34 enthusiastic applicants, representing a healthy gender balance and a broad age range from young adults to professionals in their early forties. The interviews were conducted by a dedicated Nafasi team, ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation of the candidates’ potential.The final cohort welcomed 19 artists, reflecting a vibrant mix of perspectives with almost equal representation from Dar es Salaam and other regions. Notably, Nafasi made a conscious effort to promote inclusivity by selecting artists with disabilities, recognizing the vital role diverse voices play in enriching the arts ecosystem. This marks a meaningful milestone in Nafasi’s ongoing journey towards accessible and inclusive arts management education.Starting with an intensive orientation program in late February, the cohort was introduced to the foundational elements of the year’s curriculum, the Nafasi team, and the physical space that serves as a hub for artistic experimentation. The initial module, titled “Curator and the Self,” explored critical themes such as the role and responsibilities of curators, the nuances of subjectivity, and the importance of artistic journaling as a tool for reflection and growth. Guest speakers from various disciplines enriched the sessions, offering valuable insights that broadened the participants’ understanding of their evolving roles in the arts sector.Following this orientation, the cohort engaged in mentorship sessions conducted online over the course of a month. These sessions provided tailored guidance, fostering individual growth and preparing the participants for future leadership in curatorial and arts management roles. The mentorship phase serves as a crucial bridge between theoretical learning and practical application, ensuring that the cohort gains hands-on experience and professional confidence.
Artist in Residence Programme
The Artist in Residence (AIR) programme has continued to be a cornerstone of Nafasi’s artistic engagement, offering artists a dedicated environment to create, collaborate, and expand their professional networks. This year began on a positive note, with six artists, both individuals and collectives, participating in residencies that bring together diverse voices from across Africa and beyond. These residencies not only enhance artistic practice but also foster cross-cultural dialogue and exchange.Among these residencies is the Menstrual Justice residency, a specialized five-month initiative focused on amplifying the voices of African female artists working at the intersection of art and menstrual health advocacy. This innovative programme, in partnership with We World, highlights Nafasi’s commitment to socially relevant art and community engagement. The residency will culminate in an exhibition scheduled for May 2025, promising to bring critical conversations about women’s health and rights into the public sphere through powerful artistic expression.
Locally, Nafasi continues to support Tanzanian artists by providing them with the resources and space needed to refine their craft and pursue ambitious projects. Artists such as Diana Kamara, Vincent Shayo, and Vincent Temu are currently in residence, using this time to deepen their creative processes, engage in meaningful collaborations, and develop partnerships that will strengthen their professional trajectories. This focus on nurturing local talent alongside international artists ensures a rich, layered artistic dialogue within Nafasi’s vibrant community.
Film Club and Screenings
The Nafasi Film Club remains a vital platform for fostering appreciation and critical discussion around film. In 2025, the club has prioritized building a strong foundation for the year’s activities, emphasizing collaborative learning and creative exploration as central tenets. The club attracted significant interest, with nearly twenty applicants registering and fourteen members actively participating.The current module centers on Black and White silent films, a choice that invites members to engage deeply with the roots of cinema and the unique storytelling techniques of the silent era. Running from mid-February to late April, this module will conclude with a public screening and feedback session, providing members an opportunity to showcase their insights and build confidence as film enthusiasts and critics.A highlight within the film programme was a special screening held in early February in collaboration with Open Restitution South Africa. This event featured the documentary series “Restitution Africa,” which delves into complex themes surrounding the restitution of African cultural heritage and the ongoing impact of colonial-era looting. The screening attracted a diverse audience of 38 people, equally divided by gender and mainly Tanzanian, reflecting local engagement with global conversations about cultural justice. A post-screening discussion allowed participants to reflect on the documentary’s themes, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities around the restitution of cultural artifacts, especially within the Tanzanian context.
Exhibitions
The exhibition programme at Nafasi has been notably enriched by a significant partnership with the Goethe Institut and the House of African Feminist in South Africa. This collaboration brought to Dar es Salaam a traveling exhibition entitled “Abafa(ba)zi: Those Who Die Knowing.” Curated by Thina Miya, the exhibition offers an immersive exploration of womanhood in the 21st century through the works of transdisciplinary women artists and researchers from across the African continent.Rooted in personal and familial narratives, the exhibition connects deeply with the womanism movement, emphasizing the central role Black women play as storytellers, caretakers, and agents of social change. The exhibition’s inclusion of local artists such as Lilian Munuo, Sabi John, and Turakella Gyindo ensures that the program resonates with the Tanzanian community and highlights homegrown artistic perspectives alongside continental voices. The exhibition opened mid-March and is scheduled to run through early April, attracting audiences interested in contemporary feminist discourse and artistic innovation.
Open Mic and Community Engagement
As part of its efforts to engage local creative communities and support emerging talent, Nafasi organized an Open Mic event linked to the Lete Stori initiative. The event provided a platform for eleven vibrant performers, almost evenly split by gender, to showcase their talents in a lively and supportive atmosphere. Such events are vital for energizing the local arts scene, offering artists opportunities for exposure, networking, and creative expression beyond formal exhibition and residency spaces.
Digital Growth and Online Presence
Nafasi Art Space’s digital platforms have seen impressive growth and engagement, reflecting the organization’s commitment to maintaining a robust online presence that complements its physical activities.On Instagram, the primary page for Nafasi Art Space has experienced steady follower growth, climbing by nearly three percent in the first quarter, thanks largely to consistent daily updates that keep the community informed and connected. The Nafasi Gallery’s Instagram page has seen particularly remarkable growth, with its follower base nearly tripling, highlighting increased interest in visual arts programming. Similarly, the Nafasi Academy page has grown steadily, reinforcing the importance of digital platforms in promoting educational initiatives.
The Nafasi website
also saw significant engagement, with a 23% increase in total views and a notable rise in visitors compared to previous periods. Peaks in activity during late February and March suggest the success of targeted content and promotional efforts during these months.On Facebook, Nafasi’s page reached thousands of accounts organically, growing its audience without paid advertising, demonstrating strong community interest and engagement. The demographic spread indicates a predominance of male followers but with growing female representation, and a broad geographic reach extending beyond Tanzania to neighboring countries and international audiences.
Media Presence and Outreach
In recent media engagements, Nafasi’s Director and one of the board Member appeared on the TBC 1 and TBC 2 on the Feel Free Press Conference, also we had other broadcasting Medias like EATV, CAPITAL TV And ITV in the same occassion. Such media presence helps amplify Nafasi’s voice within the wider arts and cultural ecosystem and attracts new audiences and collaborators.
Therefore, the first quarter of 2025 at Nafasi Art Space has been marked by rich artistic activity, meaningful engagement with critical social themes, and growing community connections both locally and internationally. Through its multifaceted programs—from training new arts leaders to supporting artists in residence, fostering film appreciation, presenting groundbreaking exhibitions, and building a vibrant online presence—Nafasi continues to strengthen its role as a vital hub for creative innovation and cultural dialogue.
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