Nairobi Students Participate in First City-Wide Art Competition

In a vibrant celebration of youth creativity, Nairobi students participated in the first city-wide art competition in 2025, showcasing their talents through painting, illustration, and digital design. The event, titled Empowering Art: Kenya’s Creative Voices, was launched by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute and the Embassy of Italy in Nairobi. It aimed to engage young artists in expressing themes of identity, community, and social change through visual storytelling.
Held in Nairobi between April and May 2025, the competition attracted entries from secondary school students, art clubs, and youth organizations across the city. Participants submitted original works that explored topics such as peace, sustainability, and cultural heritage. Another major event, the Bomoa Ukuta 2025 Art Competition, organized by the German Embassy in Nairobi, invited students to confront barriers to peace and security through artistic expression. These initiatives provided a platform for learners to connect art with civic engagement, while also offering mentorship and exposure to international audiences.
The competitions were met with enthusiasm from educators and parents, who praised the events for nurturing creativity and critical thinking. Art gives our students a voice—it helps them reflect on their world and imagine new possibilities, said a teacher from a participating school in Westlands. Winning entries were exhibited at cultural centers and shared online, with top artists receiving certificates, art supplies, and opportunities to collaborate with professional creatives. Organizers plan to make the competitions annual, expanding to more counties and integrating art into Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).