MAU MAU ARTS / Nairobi, Kenya
Art can be entertaining. It can also be an instrument for social change, or even ignite a revolution. But according to Mau Mau Arts founder Robert Mũnũku, art also has a much more fundamental purpose: it is the most honest form of self-expression.
This viewpoint goes a long way toward addressing some of our most pressing social ailments. Put simply, self-expression leads to a deeper understanding of identity, which in turn is an important step on the path to human compassion. Take identity and compassion away, and we’re left with rampant injustice and social division. Sound familiar?
As an artist himself, Mũnũku recognises what’s at stake. He began working with an institution charged with educating and supporting artists in his native Kenya, but he quickly grew disillusioned with their many shortcomings. Not only were funds being mismanaged, but local community resources were going largely untapped. Most importantly, artists were not receiving the creative education they needed to foster development and economic livelihood. This presents an acute danger as many Kenyan artists come from vulnerable groups that live below the poverty line.
Recognising a need, Mũnũku left his job and founded Mau Mau Arts in 2014. In addition to providing a truly impactful creative education, Mau Mau is both a functional network and production hub that is helping build a robust creative economy for artists in Kenya and across the African continent. Most impressively, they have achieved all of this with virtually no outside financial assistance.
Self-reliance is a key pillar in the project’s mission, not so much a rejection of outside help as it is a desire to liberate artists from external or institutional dependence.
Mau Mau’s workshops and master classes are conducted by experienced professionals within the network’s circle of visual arts, independent publication, music and film production practitioners. So far, more than 150 Kenyans have honed their artistic skills through these courses. Tellingly, many of the artists who apply for participation are already engaged in formal creative education, which reinforces Mũnũku’s belief that standard institutions are falling short.
Beyond education, the Mau Mau team gets their hands dirty to help bring selected artistic projects to life. Selection is a rigorous process that requires meeting certain criteria; chief among these is that projects must address social issues in a meaningful way. This reflects a core belief in art’s ability to bring about social change.
To wit, Mau Mau Arts has produced multiple short films including Taifa Tukufu (2020) and Msupa Wa Nganya (2019). Their film projects alone have generated over 200 jobs for local Kenyans, and there are now more than 500 registered artists in their Pan-African creative network.
The Mau Mau Arts story is a testament to the unstoppable power of community. It’s a poignant message for marginalised groups all over the world who are left feeling powerless - there’s no need to wait for government help, or outside investment from international NGOs. Find and harness the power in each other - it’s hidden right there in front of you.
Facebook
@maumauarts
Twitter
@maumauarts
Instagram
@maumauarts
Youtube
@MauMau
@Art is the Weapon
Soundcloud
@MauMau
