Independent Arts is exploring how to sustain creative production in Nigeria.
We're a network pairing with creators to produce projects—comics, films, archives, games, and more. Through this work, we're researching what it takes to build viable creative practices in a system that demands commercial returns.
Our question: Can we design reward models that encourage consistent patronage for the arts? What commununity models can sustain creative work?
Since 2021, we've collaborated on over a dozen projects and connected hundreds of artists through events and programs. Each project teaches us something about what creators need, what audiences want, and what models might actually work.
We work towards building a sustainable future for creative practice by:
- Producing projects with independent creators
- Connecting local artists to global ideas and markets
- Documenting what we learn about cultural production
- Creating spaces to celebrate and interrogate artistry
We're transparent in our experiments and intentional about supporting diverse voices. This is institution-building work—we're figuring it out as we go, testing assumptions, and sharing what we discover.