Nairobi Co-Creative Lab 2026

Students and faculty from Tokyo University of the Arts, together with specialists in arts practice, travel to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, for an 11-day intensive programme built around the theme of “cultural rights in everyday life.” Participants visit a range of sites connected to cultural institutions and artistic expression, gaining a firsthand understanding of local culture, social conditions, and currents in contemporary art.

The programme places particular emphasis on collaborating with artist collectives who have developed creative practices in informal settlements largely beyond the reach of public institutions and support, learning through practice about the relationship between community and art. Through collaborative production with local artists and residents, the process is documented and archived, and participants attempt a shared analysis and reflection on what emerges.

By deepening creative and academic exchange between the two countries, the programme also explores the potential for future international collaborative research, educational programmes, and arts initiatives.