32° East Arts Centre is Kampala’s first purpose-built community arts space.
The Arts Centre is the new home of 32° East | Ugandan Arts Trust, a not-for-profit organisation promoting East African contemporary art and East African artists. The Arts Centre, in Kampala, supports their mission to become a focal point for contemporary art in Uganda and the wider East African region.
Six artists in residence, a gallery, café, art shop, library, and meeting spaces, as well as guest and artist accommodation are all housed in the arts centre. It’s also a social space for the arts, with regular exhibitions, talks and seminars welcoming a diverse mix of first time and established visitors.
Built in collaboration with local architect, engineer and contractor Localworks.
The arts centre is made from rammed earth and compressed earth blocks taken from the site. Arranged around a central shaded courtyard, with views to a local green area, the spaces are naturally ventilated and provide shade and diffused light for the artists to work.
Phase one of the arts centre has now been completed which includes the first four studios and flexible cafe and gallery space.
The Arts Centre was the international Dezeen Award Winner: Cultural project of the year 2023. and has featured in the press both in the UK and internationally in Wallpaper, Architects’ Journal, Detail, Domus, The Monitor and on the cover of Architecture Today.