MAKING SPACE: An exchange

In late 2024, we formed a new partnership with The GoDown Arts Centre in Nairobi. As part of a cultural exchange supported by a Catalyst Grant from the British Council, we welcomed visitors from Nairobi to Leeds and in return visited them in Kenya.

We hosted two representatives from The GoDown Arts Centre and two representatives from the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH).

Together we visited MAFWA’s community garden; met with Leeds City Council to explore some city centre public spaces and joined a Leeds Black History walking tour.

We met artists Ellie Harrison and Akeim Toussaint Buck, who shared their perspectives on making work in Leeds; our fantastic group of Transform Young Curators; and a host of local arts organisations at an Arts Together meeting about public space and democracy.

In Nairobi, we were introduced by The GoDown to a network of artists connecting across generations and practices, building health and community through art and culture. With TICAH, we visited Nairobi National Museum’s herbal medicine garden; stepped into the world of Matatu culture with a visit to Setik Auto Care Centre and a ride into town; met Nairobi county officials and saw the new site for The GoDown’s future art centre.

This inspiring partnership, MAKING SPACE, explored the transformative power of culture on our cities, and together we got excited about imagining new ways to centre the creativity and decision making of young people in our organisations.

Supported by a Catalyst Grant from the British Council