We are The Best at what we do
Kuta Arts Foundation is empowering young artists and cultural workers in Nigeria by fostering art education, creative expression, and community development. Through the establishment of safe spaces for learning, cultural exchange, and creative practice, we are equipping youths to make social change and economic development through the arts. We value indigenous craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and preservation.
Led by the Young, for the Young
Kuta is an art community situated in Abeokuta, Ogun State (Nigeria), with a passion for creating an enabling environment where artists and other cultural workers develop their skills, exhibit and promote their works and ultimately impact their communities by speaking through art.
As a registered non-profit entity, we are officially known as Kuta Arts Foundation, a pro-youth arts organization that facilitates programs centered on Art Education, Creative Expression, and Community Development. Our community is the first of its kind in the ancient but rapidly transforming City of Abeokuta, welcoming members across various institutions and walks of life in Ogun State and beyond.
Our primary focus at Kuta is youth empowerment through the arts. We recognize the importance of nurturing young talents and offering them the opportunity to showcase their creativity. To achieve this, we established a solid base in Abeokuta, launching our first creative space, NestbyKuta, in 2017. The space is a multipurpose hub serving as a co-creation studio, art residency and networking space for creatives. It is outfitted with facilities conducive to fostering self-expression and creative growth. Our vision is to expand, establishing at least one functional and sustainable hub in five cities across Ogun State and Nigeria at large within the next five years. With this, we provide opportunities and exposure to young creatives beyond our immediate reach.
One of the unique features of our organization is our youth leadership. Kuta is led by young adults who understand the challenges faced by youths in the Nigerian art and culture ecosystem. Since its inception, Kuta has interned, hired and partnered with individuals who are familiar with these needs, passionate about similar goals or are youths themselves. Our staff members are selected from a pool of experienced adolescents who are students, artists, teachers, photographers, filmmakers, writers, cultural administrators, entrepreneurs, founders, a number of whom have undergone trainings under our guidance. This approach allows us to attract young adults who are passionate about the work we do. We offer them support in acquiring/upgrading their creative skills and plug them into gaps where their skills and talents inspire community developments. A good number of them have gone on to start-up bold initiatives, creative movements as well as become thought leaders. For us, we cannot express the joy of having mentored such amazing talents, and collaborate with such creative leaders.
Passionate Personalities, Versatile Brains
We are also supported by a community of volunteers, an advisory board, and management staff.
Our commitment to youth empowerment is evident in our social change projects. In 2022, we launched the Arts Scholars Project, an initiative aimed at curbing youth involvement in social vices, a rampant issue among young adults graduating secondary school. With this project, we trained 50 secondary school students in the crafts of Painting and Tye-dye Design. This training targeted students in SS2 and SS3 classes (equivalent to 11th and 12th grade) who will be graduating school shortly. This initiative offered the students a headstart on their creative endeavors as well as gave them room for self-sustenance after graduation. This way, they don’t have to get involved in social vices like internet fraud, drugs, etc in hopes of acquiring financial freedom or fulfillment. The Arts Scholars Project attracted the 2021 African Solidarity Funds by OISWA through the African Artists Foundation.
Our foundation has also partnered with Teach for Nigeria to provide hands-on art education to primary school students. The partnership aimed to increase art education opportunities for students in under-resourced communities, offering a platform for young minds to hone their skills. The initiative took place at NestbyKuta, with our volunteers walking these young minds through the basics of visual arts from shapes, perspective, and color theory. Several of the participants created works were showcased, a few of which were auctioned, with the returns going back to the school of these students.
Some of our recent achievements include:
- The Creativity Pioneers Initiative (2022), Moleskine Foundation — Grant Award
- African Solidarity Funds (2021), Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) through the African Artists Foundation (AAF) — Grant Award
- Naija Gems Travel Exhibition (2019), collaboration with the Lagos Photo Festival, The African Artist Foundation, The Nlele Institute, and the US Consulate to Nigeria
- Ogun Youth Award (2019), partnership with Activ Network
- African Drums Festival (2017, 2018, and 2019), partnership with the Ogun State Ministry for Arts and Culture and the Office of the Ogun State Governor.
For more updates on projects by Kuta Arts Foundation please follow us on Instagram or other social platforms via the link below:
Handle: @kutanigeria
Link: linktr.ee/kutanigeria