Opportunities/Call for Applications: UNESCO- Aschberg Bursaries for Artists Programme

The UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists Programme announces the 2013 call for applications.

The programme promotes the mobility of young artists through art residencies abroad. This call is open to creative writers’ musicians and visual artists between 25 and 35 years old.

To consult the list of bursaries available for 2013 please visit the website at http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/creativity/aschberg-bursaries-for-artists. You will find direct links to institutions and instructions on the application procedures and necessary dates.

Here is the direct link: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/creativity/aschberg-bursaries-for-artists/call-for-applications-2013/#c345283

Screening: Bones of Turkana – Unraveling the Mysteries of Human Evolution Introduced by Dr. Richard Leakey, Nov. 14 2012 @ National Museum

The Kenya Museum Society & Prehistory Club NMK, invite you to Bones Of Turkana – Unravelling the mysteries of Human Evolution Introduced by Dr. Richard Leakey

This is a National Geographic Special film that will show you how Dr Leakey and his team traverse 4 million years of hominid history in search of the characteristics that make us uniquely human, focusing on the latest significant fossil discoveries made in the arid Northern Region of Kenya’s Turkana Basin (the Cradle of Human Life)

Date: Wednesday, 14 November, 2012
Venue: Louis Leakey Auditorium, Nairobi National Museum
Time: Refreshments 6pm Doors open 6.30 pm.
Contacts: Reservations: 0724 255 299, 2339158 or info@kenyamuseumsociety.org
Donation: Ksh 400 KMS members, Ksh 500 Non-members & Ksh 200 Students [M-Pesa no: 400800, Account no: 6571570019]

Download Bones of Turkana Poster

New Single Alert! African Hustle by Mzungu Kichaa ft Dela from their EP – Hustle to be released in Dec. 1 2012


Mzungu Kichaa releases new single African Hustle featuring Kenyan songstress Dela.
The song is the first single from his EP titled Hustle to be released on the 1st of December 2012. This release marks the start of a long‐term partnership between Tanzanian Caravan Records & Penya Africa.

African Hustle is a positive message about working hard with what you have. This is Mzungu Kichaa’s first release since the release of his début album in 2009, which won him an award at the African Achievement Awards. Since the release of his first album Tuko Pamoja, Mzungu Kichaa has been performing extensively in East Africa and met Dela during a visit to Nairobi. He later invited Dela to Dar es Salaam to perform at the Beat Festival, during which they recorded African Hustle at his studio Caravan Records. The collaboration marks an important step to build relationships between artists across the borders and to create a stronger East African music industry. Dela and Mzungu Kichaa are shooting a video for the song in Nairobi, to be released soon.

Mzungu Kichaa has often described Dela as one of his favorite East African artists, so it is not surprising that he took the necessary steps to realize this collaboration. Dela is signed to Penya Africa where she has released her debut album, “Paukwa” and worked with various artists including Sauti Sol on hits like Mama Papa.

African Hustle will be available on iTunes and other online platforms. Listen here
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/65526550″ iframe=”true” /]

Photo Exhibition: I am 20 Years Old in My Country, Nov. 3-30 2012 @ Alliance


In 2010, Alliance Française de Nairobi registered Kenya in the first international photography competition launched by the Foundation Alliance Française on the theme ‘J’ai 20 ans dans mon pays’ (I am 20 yrs old in my country).

1400 amateurs from 60 different countries participated and submitted their most beautiful photos on the suject. Selected first at the local level across the 98 participating Alliances Françaises, then at the international level by a professional jury, the best photographs make up this exhibition on the youth of the world. The exhibition was first presented in France then in the United States, South Africa, India and China. It regroups the work of 26 finalists from the around the world.

Don’t miss this exhibition that reveals a new vision of the youth of the world and includes the work of James Otieno, the winner from Kenya.

International Photo Competition by Alliance Française Foundation, Until Jan. 11 2013


The Alliance Française Foundation invites entries from amateur photographers for the 3rd edition of the International Photo Competition.

This year’s theme is ‘Trades of the World’. The objective is to beautifully capture men and women going about their daily lives, engaged in the variety of extraordinary trades to be found around the world.

You have until 11th January 2013 (midnight) to send in your photographs with a chance of winning a trip to Paris, exhibiting your work in a Parisian gallery and having your photographs published in specialized Arts and Photography publications.

For more information visit: http://www.afkenya.or.ke

Installation: Hip-Hop is Dead by Oliver Okoth, Nov. 8-31 2012 @ National Museum

Dates: November 3-31, 2012
Venue: Creativity Gallery, National Museum
Entry: Museum Rates Apply

When you turn on the radio and hip-hop tunes in, do you think music or din? That is the point that Victor Okoth addresses as he takes us on a musical art journey with striking compositions and installations motivated by hip-hop sounds and lyrics.

The main message in this exhibition, which resonates with American rapper Nas eighth studio album Hip-Hop Is Dead, is that whereas original hip-hop had deep messages that were intended by marginal black youth to shed light on contemporary politics, history, and race, today’s hip hop is caught in fierce crosswinds of vulgarism, bling-bling materialism and violence.

Hip-Hop is important to Okoth precisely because American hip hop artists are to some extend responsible for influencing social behaviour of Kenyan youth. And that is what provoked him to use his artistic expression to analyze hip-hop.
The exhibition begins by highlighting what Okoth sees as good hip-hop and ends with a dramatic installation of a shooting ring.