Inauguration of the Cultural Arts Centre

 

Randy Stubbs presenting the new Cultural Arts Centre

I was so pleased to be able to attend the inauguration of the Cultural Arts Centre at Makumira University last Friday. What an inspiring event and they have only just begun! Randy Stubbs has worked tirelessly against multiple substantial challenges to get this project off the ground, and the presentations reflected the impact this centre has and will have. It was great to see the finished extension of the university assembly hall complete with new lighting and sound systems, as well as the nearby site where the new arts centre building will be constructed. These facilities are among the best you will find in East Africa. 

The project has been funded by the European Union Development Fund, and has two partners; Alliance Franco-Tanzanienne and the Kilimanjaro Film Institute. AFT are helping out with training in project management and entrepreneurship, and KFI are assisting in documenting field research in traditional music. In attendance at the ceremony were various university and church leaders, a representative for the EU ambassador, and the Executive Secretary of BASATA (the National Arts Council I mentioned in my last post). The centre will primarily be an archive of the cultural heritage of Northern Tanzania, as well as a performing space for cultural performances for tourists.

The performers who will be undertaking regular cultural performances as well as outreach workshops are in the middle of a month's intensive training before they are reduced from 30 to a team of 15. The amazing versatility of the musician-dancers was a treat to watch - they performed snapshots of traditional dances from various people groups of Northern Tanzania, as well as more contemporary Tanzanian music. The interaction of traditional rural and contemporary urban styles was fascinating and inspiring for me as I try to imagine a music curriculum for students, in the same context, that allows them to be cultural ambassadors and global citizens. Looking forward to the future of culture in Arusha!

Masaai

Wagogo

Swahili Jazz

Masaai rap!

New lighting system in the assembly hall