Joy Mboya
GoDown Arts Centre
The GoDown Arts Centre was initiated by Joy Mboya, who saw the need for a space for artists and other creatives in East Africa to meet and support each other. At the time, there were few venues for hosting exhibitions and facilitating cultural expression and engagement. The Ford Foundation provided the initial funding as part of their initiative to support the Arts in East Africa. The GoDown was incorporated in 2002, and operated from a converted warehouse from 2003 until 2019. It is currently operating from a temporary location until the completion of the New GoDown Arts & Culture Complex.
As the first multidisciplinary arts space in Kenya, The GoDown Arts Centre provides spaces for artistic expression and partnerships across different sectors. In addition to music, dance and arts, the centre also hosts local events and major international conferences, making it a place for everyone. The Centre also plays a central role in advocating for better working conditions for local artists, and is active in fostering community engagement through festivals and supporting artistic expression through competitions, exhibitions and cultural events.
The GoDown Arts Centre provides a space for different income and cultural groups to interact with each other, contributing to a more inclusive city. Since 2009, the GoDown has hosted the Nairobi County Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition: Manjano. Between 2006 and 2012, the GoDown hosted the annual Dunda Mtaani community festival, which provided a platform for youth to showcase their artistic talents in various forms such as acrobatics, dance and music. This paved the way for the 'Nai Ni Who' cultural festival which took the form of events in various neighborhoods in the city, thereby fostering inclusion and a sense of place for Nairobi residents. The 'Nai Ni Who' festval ran from 2013 until 2018.
Construction materials from the old GoDown has been utilised in the current (temporary) mini GoDown Arts Centre.
The GoDown Arts Centre was the first institution of its kind in Kenya, playing a central role in the creative economy in Kenya and East Africa at large. Its diverse programmes and training opportunities have helped the organisation maintain its position as the premier arts space in Kenya.
