Kenya’s creative industry has been boosted by the provision of Ksh. Funding of $168 million from the French government.
Speaking at an event held at the French Cultural Center in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Kenya Cultural Center Chief Executive Michael Pundo said the funding will help artists cover the costs of producing their creative works. He said this will help make infrastructure more affordable and enable infrastructure upgrades. All over the country.
“There is a huge lack of live performance space in the Nairobi suburbs,” says Pundo. “The government has plans to improve and rebuild existing facilities, but funding is lacking.”
Among the projects supported through programs in line with the Government of Kenya's Taranta Hera Initiative is the digitization of the Fort Jesus Museum in Mombasa, carried out in partnership with French company ICONEM.
Five other spaces in Mombasa, Lamu, Nakuru, Kisumu and Nairobi counties are also equipped to host cultural shows under the initiative.
The program has also fostered the professional development of creators by providing training and technical support to animators, video game developers, esports promoters, and comic book creators.
Additionally, the French Embassy has enabled practitioners in these creative fields to participate in various networking events to be held between Kenya and Europe in 2023 under this program.
Through its collaboration with HEVA Fund, the program will provide logistical support to 11 Kenyan performance artists, including musicians, stand-up comedians, actors, poets and dancers, to embark on national tours and perform their work to audiences across the country. To do.
“This grant demonstrates our dedication to promoting excellence in the arts and ensuring performance arts and cultural activities continue to thrive,” said Akati, Director of Grants and Inclusion at HEVA. Dr. Cassiani said. “We look forward to seeing how their projects develop and what impact they will have on our community.”
