Tanzania awards 188.4m/- grant to nine Arts groups

DAR ES SALAAM: NINE Tanzanian Art groups have been awarded a total of 188.4m/- under the Feel Free Grant 2026, a major initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s fast-growing creative industry.

The Grants administered by Nafasi Art Space recognise outstanding creativity and socially impactful work across a range of artistic disciplines.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam early this week, the Director of Nafasi Art Lilian Hipolity said the findings would support innovative projects, expand artistic expression and promote suitable development within Tanzania’s Art sector.

“Nafasi Art Space is proud to announce the recipient of the 2026 Fee Free Grant, a grant supporting artists, cultural practitioners and creative organisations across Tanzania. Now in its sixth cohort with over 32 grantees,50 per cent of whom are women, and 55 per cent of projects are outside of Dar es Salaam. The grant continues to provide artists with the freedom and resources of develop projects that contribute to cultural dialogue, innovation and long- term sustainability within the Art sector, “said Hipolyte.

Feel Free Grant, implemented by Nafasi Art Space and funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania, was launched in 2020 to support artists and cultural practitioners working across disciplines.

Nafasi Art Space Director said the recipients of the grant include the Dance Music legend, John Kitime, Victoria Mponda, Ayoub Bombwe, Circus 4 Life (C4L), Leila Juma Ramadhan, Jumba Bovu Exbitions, Aika Matemu and Zuhura Seng’enge.