As April draws to a close, the creative energy across Tanzania and the wider African continent continues to flourish. From open calls empowering artistic freedom to dynamic cultural festivals and forward-thinking tech in the arts, this season has been rich with activity. Whether you’re an artist, curator, or culture enthusiast, these developments reflect the evolving pulse of African creativity — rooted in heritage and boldly stepping into the future.
Here’s a look at some key moments and upcoming projects shaping the region’s creative scene.
Kadiri mwezi wa Aprili unavyokaribia kuhitimishwa, nguvu za ubunifu kote Tanzania na bara la Afrika kwa ujumla zinaendelea kushamiri. Kuanzia miito ya wazi inayochochea uhuru wa kisanii hadi sherehe mbalimbali za kitamaduni na teknolojia ya kisasa katika sanaa, msimu huu umekuwa na shughuli nyingi. Iwe wewe ni msanii, mtunzaji wa sanaa, au mpenda utamaduni, maendeleo haya yanaakisi kasi inayoendelea ya ubunifu wa Kiafrika – unaokita mizizi katika urithi na kuingia kwa ujasiri katika siku zijazo.
Haya hapa ni baadhi ya matukio muhimu na miradi inayokuja ambayo inaathiri tasnia ya ubunifu katika ukanda huu.
‘Feel Free 2025’ – A Creative Call from Nafasi Art Space
Tanzania’s Nafasi Art Space has launched its much-anticipated ‘Feel Free 2025’ initiative. This open call offers funding between TZS 15–27 million per project to support up to eight successful applicants. The focus is on artistic freedom and cultural expression, giving local creatives a platform to shape narratives that matter. This is one to watch — and apply for, if you’re eligible!
Nafasi Art Space ya Tanzania imezindua mpango wake uliosubiriwa kwa hamu wa ‘Feel Free 2025’. wito huu wa wazi unatoa ufadhili kati ya TZS milioni 15–27 kwa kila mradi, Wito huu wa wazi unaunga mkono hadi waombaji nane watakaofanikiwa. Kipaumbele ni uhuru wa kisanii na maonyesho ya kitamaduni, ukitoa jukwaa kwa wabunifu wa ndani kuunda simulizi zenye maana. Hii ni ya kutazama – na utume ombi, ikiwa unastahiki!
USIU-Africa’s Culture Week: A Celebration of Diversity
From April 3–5, Nairobi’s USIU-Africa hosted its annual Culture Week, themed “Mosaic of Cultures.” Highlights included:
A parade of nations led by Burundian drummers, with appearances from Tanzanian, Nigerian, Indian, and Kenyan student groups.
Cultural exhibitions and cuisines offering treats like Zimbabwean sadza, Nigerian jollof rice, and Burundian coffee.
Interactive events like Holi celebrations, traditional dances, and dialogue sessions.
With representation from 66 nationalities, this event underscored the beauty of cultural diversity and unity.
Wiki ya Utamaduni ya USIU-Africa: Sherehe ya Tofauti
Kuanzia Aprili 3–5, USIU-Africa ya Nairobi iliandaa Wiki yake ya kila mwaka ya Utamaduni, yenye kaulimbiu “Mozaiki ya Tamaduni.” Mambo muhimu yalijumuisha:
Gwaride la mataifa likiongozwa na wapiga ngoma wa Burundi, likiwa na vikundi vya wanafunzi kutoka Tanzania, Nigeria, India, na Kenya.
Maonesho ya kitamaduni na vyakula vilivyoleta ladha kama sadza ya Zimbabwe, wali wa jollof wa Nigeria, na kahawa ya Burundi.
Matukio shirikishi kama sherehe za Holi, ngoma za jadi, na midahalo ya kijamii.
Pamoja na uwakilishi kutoka kwa mataifa 66, tukio hili lilisisitiza uzuri wa tofauti za kitamaduni na umoja.
Dar Foto Festival 2025 – Coexistence Through the Lens
From January 31 to March 1, the Dar Foto Festival explored the theme “Coexistence” through powerful visual storytelling. Featuring 15 artists from Congo, Sudan, Kenya, and Tanzania, the festival included photo walks, portfolio reviews, and talks anchored in African philosophies such as Ujamaa and Ubuntu. It was a celebration of visual narratives as tools for reflection and connection.
Tamasha la Picha la Dar 2025 – Maisha ya Pamoja Kupitia Lenzi
Kuanzia Januari 31 hadi Machi 1, Tamasha la Picha la Dar lilingazia mada ya “Maisha ya Pamoja” kupitia usimulizi wa kuvutia wa hadithi..Likihusisha wasanii 15 kutoka Kongo, Sudan, Kenya, na Tanzania, tamasha hili lilijumuisha matembezi ya kupiga picha, tathmini za mafaili ya kazi, na mazungumzo yaliyojikita katika falsafa za Kiafrika kama Ujamaa na Ubuntu.Likishirikisha wasanii 15 kutoka Kongo, Sudan, Kenya, na Tanzania, tamasha hilo lilijumuisha matembezi ya picha, ukaguzi wa kwingineko, na mazungumzo yaliyojikita katika falsafa za Kiafrika kama vile Ujamaa na Ubuntu.na kuunganisha watu.
Shaping Crossroads – Peer Exchange for Artists
Running from July to November 2025, Shaping Crossroads is a collaborative program from ITI Germany and Nafasi Art Space. Through workshops in Dar es Salaam and other locations, it aims to deepen partnerships between African and European artists and address the complexities of intercontinental artistic exchange.
Mabadilishano ya Wasanii kwa Njia ya Ushirikiano
Kuanzia Julai hadi Novemba mwaka huu wa 2025, Shaping Crossroads ni programu ya ushirikiano kati ya ITI Germany na Nafasi Art Space. Kupitia warsha zitakazofanyika Dar es Salaam na maeneo mengine, lengo la warsha ni kuimarisha ushirikiano kati ya wasanii wa Afrika na Ulaya na kuchambua changamoto na fursa za mabadilishano ya kisanii baina ya mabara.
Mustafa’s ‘Dunya’ Tour Wraps in Africa
Sudanese-Canadian musician Mustafa brought his debut album Dunya home with performances in Ethiopia and Sudan, concluding a global tour that included North America and Europe. His poetic lyrics and minimalist aesthetic resonated deeply with audiences, offering an emotional and spiritual thread through diasporic identity and belonging. Learn more.
Tamasha la ‘Dunya’ la Mustafa Lamalizika Barani Afrika
Msanii wa muziki mwenye asili ya Sudan na uraia wa Kanada, Mustafa, alihitimisha ziara yake ya kimataifa ya albamu ya kwanza Dunya kwa maonyesho nchini Ethiopia na Sudan. Ziara hiyo ilijumuisha pia Amerika Kaskazini na Ulaya. Mashairi yake ya kihisia na mtindo wake wa kisanaa wa unyenyekevu uliwagusa sana watazamaji, ukitoa mwanga wa kihisia na kiroho kuhusu utambulisho wa watu wa weusi wanaoiishi katika mataifa ya uhamishoni na hisia ya mahali halisi pa kuwa nyumbani. Learn more.
Culture & Education in Tanzania: UNESCO and Alwaleed Philanthropies
Since its launch in October 2023, this joint initiative has focused on vocational education in the arts in Tanzania. The goal? Equip youth with creative skills for community-based development and economic empowerment, while safeguarding Tanzania’s rich cultural heritage.
Utamaduni na Elimu Nchini Tanzania: UNESCO na Alwaleed Philanthropies
Tangu kuzinduliwa kwake mnamo Oktoba 2023, mpango huu wa pamoja umejikita katika elimu ya ufundi katika sanaa hapa Tanzania. Lengo kuu? Kuwapa vijana ujuzi wa ubunifu kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya kijamii na kuwawezesha kiuchumi, huku ukilinda na kuhifadhi urithi wa kitamaduni wa Tanzania ulio tajiri na wa kipekee.
Akili Mnemba (Bandia) Katika Tasnia ya Sanaa Tanzania
Tanzania imeanza kuchunguza jinsi ya kuunganisha teknolojia ya Akili Mnemba (AI) katika sekta ya sanaa. Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa (BASATA) kwa kushirikiana na Taasisi ya Utafiti wa Akili Mnemba(Bandia) ya Afrika (ARIFA), wako katika hatua za awali za mazungumzo kuhusu matumizi ya Akili Mnemba ili kukuza ubunifu, kulinda haki za wasanii, na kuimarisha uvumbuzi katika sekta ya utamaduni. Hili ni hatua muhimu na ya kusisimua inayoweza kuleta mwelekeo mpya kwa mustakabali wa ubunifu wa Kitanzania.
Australian High Commission Creative Grants
Running through July 2025, the Australian High Commission in Kenya is funding arts projects in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, and Burundi. With grants of up to AUD 7,000, this program encourages international collaboration and supports the development of local creative industries.
Misaada ya Ubunifu kutoka Ubalozi wa Australia
Mpaka Julai 2025, Ubalozi wa Australia nchini Kenya unafadhili miradi ya sanaa katika Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, na Burundi. Kupitia misaada ya hadi AUD 7,000, 000nprogramu hii inalenga kuhamasisha ushirikiano wa kimataifa na kusaidia kukuza sekta za ubunifu za ndani katika ukanda huu wa Afrika Mashariki.
Looking Ahead + Stay Tuned
From cultural parades to experimental tech, East Africa is alive with bold ideas and vibrant artistic movements. As we move into May, expect even more local exhibitions, cross-border collaborations, and conversations around arts, identity, and innovation.
Whether you’re in Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, or anywhere across the continent (or diaspora), now’s the time to engage, create, and celebrate.
Stay tuned right here for more updates, artist features, funding opportunities, and event recaps from the world of East African and pan-African arts and culture. There’s so much more to come! https://ac4dafrica.org/news/our-news/
Kuangazia Mbele + Endelea Kutufuatilia
Kuanzia gwaride za kitamaduni hadi teknolojia ya majaribio, Afrika Mashariki inang’aa kwa mawazo makubwa na harakati bunifu za kisanaa. Tunapoingia mwezi Mei, tegemea maonyesho zaidi ya ndani, ushirikiano wa kuvuka mipaka, na mijadala kuhusu sanaa, utambulisho, na uvumbuzi.
Iwe uko Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, au sehemu yoyote barani Afrika (au ughaibuni), huu ndio wakati wa kushiriki, kuunda, na kusherehekea.
Endelea kuwa nasi hapa kwa taarifa mpya, makala za wasanii, fursa za ufadhili, na muhtasari wa matukio kutoka ulimwengu wa sanaa na utamaduni wa Afrika Mashariki na Afrika nzima. Kuna mengi zaidi yanakuja! https://ac4dafrica.org/news/our-news/
Mustafa’s ‘Dunya’ Tour Wraps in Africa
