The Kenyan government has announced plans to feature graffiti and murals in affordable housing projects across the country. According to Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, the initiative aims to promote art and provide artists with a source of income. The government will work with artists to introduce murals at housing sites and markets, as well as explore opportunities for street art in urban areas.
Under the proposed programme, artists will be registered and receive a monthly stipend, although the amount has not been determined. Participating artists will be expected to produce four pieces of artwork each month, with each piece serving a different purpose. The first piece will be placed in an affordable home and presented to the buyer as a gift from the Affordable Housing Board.
The artwork will be accompanied by a brief history explaining the piece. The second piece will be entered into a competition, with selected works displayed during a proposed event dubbed A Night of Art with the President. The government intends to invite members of the corporate sector to attend the exhibitions, where artwork will be auctioned. Proceeds from the sales will go back to the artists who created the pieces.
The third piece of artwork will be considered for presentation to visiting heads of state and display at Kenyan embassies, as the government seeks to promote Kenyan art internationally. The government also plans to create exhibition opportunities for artists at state lodges, including spaces where visiting delegations can view their work.
The programme will be expanded to include other ways of showcasing art in public spaces. In Nairobi, for instance, the government plans to work with the governor to explore displaying artwork during car-free days, when selected streets can be closed to traffic. This will provide an opportunity for artists to showcase their work to a wider audience.
According to Hinga, every new homeowner will receive a painting as a gift when they move into their home. The government aims to make urban spaces more vibrant while providing artists with a source of income. The initiative is expected to boost the creative sector, which has evolved into a major economy driver in Kenya.
The government plans to incorporate artwork into affordable housing schemes, give paintings to new homeowners, and create opportunities for artists to exhibit and sell their work. The programme is expected to benefit both artists and homeowners, and will help to promote Kenyan art internationally.
Key points
- The Kenyan government will provide artists with a monthly stipend to support their work.
- The government plans to auction artwork and use proceeds from sales to benefit artists.
- The initiative aims to make urban spaces more vibrant while promoting Kenyan art.
