Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

The vision of Art Yetu is to provide young artists access to learning from a diverse perspective of arts, fostering collaboration between young refugees and hosts. Through this collaboration, we aim to address artistic challenges faced by displaced people

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Through Art Yetu, participants learn the value of self-expression, cross-cultural understanding, and critical thinking. They develop practical skills in visual art while gaining a deeper understanding of the history and significance of screen printing in contemporary art practice. The model also emphasizes the importance of collaboration, empathy, and personal responsibility in the learning process. As organizers, we have learned a lot, particularly in how to support individuals dealing with trauma, depression, and stress, utilizing art as a tool for healing and transformation. We have employed art as a catalyst for positive change and have actively engaged with various stakeholders. Our goal is to reach a wide audience by the end of 2030, and this endeavor relies on your support and cooperation.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Art Yetu contributes to promoting art, design, and creativity while inviting innovative solutions to challenges faced by contestants. It empowers well-trained youth from refugee and host communities in visual art, allowing them to express emotions, feelings, and experiences of displacement through their artwork. The initiative organizes exhibitions, art competitions, and supports local talents, leading to positive changes within refugee communities. We need to respond to the livelihood and access to employment that most of the youth in Turkana County are passing through.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The outcomes of Art Yetu extend beyond the local community, reaching audiences in multiple countries through online competitions and exhibitions. Participants are able to showcase their artwork, engage with diverse perspectives, and receive recognition for their talents. The model facilitates personal growth, cross-cultural understanding, and the development of practical skills in visual art, contributing to the empowerment and enrichment of individuals and communities alike. Also to facilitate gaining practical skills for economic self reliance or potential employment, through Art Yetu we were able to partner with Norwegian Refugee Council NRC Kakuma Office to train learners accross 12 schools in kakuma refugee camp and kalobeyei settlement camp. For this first step we empowered 820 students from both refugee and host communities in Turkana County. One of our artworks has been exhibited at Art for Peace in Washington DC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxJ30mlp9BA

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Art Yetu operates within the context of refugee and host communities, where access to educational and creative opportunities may be limited. By providing training in visual art and organizing events such as exhibitions and competitions, the initiative aims to empower individuals and foster positive social change within these communities. Additionally, Art Yetu engages with other agencies for collaborative projects, expanding its impact and reach.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2019-01-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

00

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

00

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

NA

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://artyetu254.blogspot.com

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Refugee Led Initiative (Education)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

NA

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

NA

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

2

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

NA

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

We are contributing to Quality Education goal because it relates with the mission of Art Yetu which is to promote art, design, and creativity while inviting innovative solutions to contestants' challenges. We aim to boost brand awareness and provide opportunities for participants to grow as artists, fostering the development of their art careers. Art Yetu's future plan is to reach over 5,000 individuals by the end of 2030, facilitated by our mentorship programs. We will focus on promoting the art industry, providing support to local and creative artists, enabling them to become more engaged in the art community and achieve self-reliance.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

NA

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

NA

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

NA

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

NA

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

NA

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

NA

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

NA

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

NA

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

NA

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

NA

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

NA

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

5

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

We also respond to conflict within our environment through Visual art training this is because most of our beneficiaries are coming from war and conflict zones, to respond to their problems art act directly through empowerment and show them on how to cohabiting with others. When it comes ART YETU no matter your conflict we are all one and come with togetherness spirit so that we reach our goals and all our objectives.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

We cooperate with learners, parents ans Refugee Led Organization Netework of Kenya and other stakeholders to ensure that there's a great cooperation and networking within our contest so that we can also contribute in one way to another to their needs.

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

2

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

2

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

2

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

3

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

3

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

3

05.08 Justification

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Other Refugee-Led Organizations but the way we are doingand running our activities are totally different from them and that made us have a better impact

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

NA