Nairobi Arts Biennale 2026 calls creators to shape Kenya's future

The Nairobi Art scene is abuzz with the official launch of the Nairobi Arts Biennale 2026, scheduled for two weeks, from October 24 to November 8.

It is being referred to as "Kenya's most ambitious contemporary and historical art celebration."

The event is rooted in the community-driven momentum of the Kibera Arts District (KAD) with its parent forum Rooftop House of Friends (HoF) Gallery, serving as a primary hub.

HoF organisers, Jamey Ponte, Patrick Othieno, and Santana Sino, who are also doubling as facilitators, put out a global open call for artists, collaboratives, galleries, and cultural stakeholders to immerse themselves in what they describe as “a transformative movement”.

Jamey Ponte, who is also serving as the event’s artistic director, stated, “This is more than a grouping of exhibitions; it is an artistic movement that highlights who Kenya is and where we are heading.” 

“We are inviting the world to experience our art, our voice through a diverse range of mediums, from traditional sculpture and painting to AI and VR,” he added.

According to the organisers, the theme, ‘Our art and future: your true experience’, is geared toward converting Nairobi into a city-wide expression of art, in various media, with venues throughout the city.

Moreover, the intended biennale would represent a pivotal moment for Kenya’s creative sector, in building on Nairobi’s budding reputation as a regional art hub, and expanding pre-existing cultural momentum.

“Nairobi has long-functioned as a cultural ecosystem without a single centre. A biennale would not so much introduce contemporary art to the city as consolidate and amplify what is already happening,” the organisers commented.

A biennale is defined as a large-scale, international exhibition of contemporary art that is held every two years.

Originating from Italian, it means "every two years", from "biennio," or a two-year period.

These events are major highlights in the global art world, often featuring new works from both emerging and established artists, curated exhibitions and installations, or a central theme that emphasises political, artistic or cultural issues.

The most famous example is the Venice Biennale, founded in 1895, which provided the blueprint for others. 

Today, there are hundreds others in existence, such as the São Paulo Bienal in Brazil, and Whitney Biennial in the US.

Though the upcoming Nairobi Arts Biennale 2026 follows this format, its focus is on local and regional voices, showcasing Kenyan contemporary art, as well as casting its net region-wide, to both proven and promising artists.

This approach reflects the community's push to amplify East African voices globally,

“This is not trying to duplicate biennales elsewhere. We are doing what we do and how we do things, Kenyan style. We are setting out to address issues we have, and share our voices in the arts, not only established artists, but those emerging on the art scene,” Ponte noted.

With pre-registration now open, the launch draws attention to Nairobi’s current gallery scene activity, with reference to the recent shows at Circle Art Gallery, Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI), and emerging spots in Kibera.

These simultaneous developments converge at positioning 2026 as a defining year for the city's creative rise.