Art rights unite project offers studio space, workshops/training, and exhibition/performance platforms, specifically designed for artists from vulnerable groups, specifically women, people with disabilities, and disadvantaged youth. The project raises visibility and provides counter-narratives in mainstream discourse by innovating around the artist driven creative human model.

This project increases cultural rights for artists from vulnerable groups, specifically, they benefit from increased creative production, education, exchange and networks, and platforms for their art to reach the public. Furthermore, the outcome will be strengthened freedom of expression and the visibility of counter-narratives in mainstream society.

Within the 12 months and 9-month NCE of project lifetime NAFASI managed to achieve the intended project results as per agreed plan. Among achievements include: 

• 11+ community groups supporting several different marginalized communities were engaged in dialogue related to the space and its goals. Participant artists who engaged in the space were from different marginalized backgrounds ensuring representation. 
• 50+ (30 female, 20+ male) artists, advocates, and administrators became part of the beneficiary group guiding the program’s implementation. 

• Two Nafasi platforms hosted the Call for Student Members with over 13,500 collective followers – and over 500 physical posters were circulated.  
• 75 applications (25 female, 50 male) were received for the program of those 27 interviews (20 female, 7 male) were conducted.  
• After the interviews, 14 Student Members (9 female, 5 male) applications were selected for the program, they were a strong, diverse cohort.  
• 14 Student Members (8 female, 6 male) from target groups were actively engaged in programming. 
• 13 student members successfully graduated from the programme, having participated in 5 intensive training modules, 10 months of training, 12 months of studio time, 4 public exhibitions, 1 public performance, 40 artistic assignments, and 7 site visits.  

• 8 aspiring photography students received mentorship from an established professional  
• 14 students from target groups received extensive mentorship from established professionals in 5+ technical fields of art over the course of 10 training months. 
• 14 students from target groups received extensive theoretical training on the conceptual artistic process. 
• 14 students from target groups participated in exchange with over 33 guest speakers/facilitators/trainers. 

This project has offered artists from marginalized and discriminated groups the opportunity to access art space, education, exchange, and platforms for exhibition that were previously not accessible to them. Over the duration of the course, those who were selected for the programme became increasingly engaged in art production and in using their art to explore topics of identity, expression, and rights. Upon graduation, all members had successfully participated in five theory masterclasses, nine technical mentorships, six workshops and exchanges, four exhibitions, one public performance, one show at the National Museum of Tanzania and one art conference. Several students also took advantage of their newfound confidence and expanding professional networks to submit to other artistic opportunities, local and global. Not only are we, their mentors and administrators, proud of them – they are proud of themselves. This pride is well-reflected in the way that the students now operate as emerging artists. It will undoubtedly carry them beyond the restrictive circumstances that are so unfairly imposed upon them within society.   

Therefore, NAFASI, through the studio renovated, shall continue to support artists from marginalized and discriminated groups through providing access to the art space, education and platforms for exhibition.