Arts & Culture Foundation · Canada
We promote global arts, culture and the creative economy, connecting Canada, Rwanda, Africa and the world through festivals, exhibitions, exchange and education.
01About us
Ikirenga Arts and Culture Foundation Canada is an international arts and cultural organization based in Canada, working across Canada, Rwanda, Africa, and the global community. The foundation promotes cultural exchange, creative industries, and cultural tourism through innovative programs and strategic partnerships that connect artists and audiences worldwide.
02Mission
To promote Rwandan, African, Canadian, and global arts, culture, and cultural tourism through festivals, exhibitions, creative economy programs, and educational initiatives, fostering international exchange and collaboration across countries worldwide.
03Vision
A world where artists and cultural communities from Canada and all regions of the world collaborate to inspire creativity, dialogue, tourism, and cultural understanding across borders.
04Objectives
Organize and support festivals, exhibitions, and cultural events in Canada and internationally, attracting diverse global audiences.
Develop and promote cultural tourism programs linking Canada with countries worldwide.
Partner with tourism boards, embassies, and cultural organizations globally to create high-profile international events.
Offer educational workshops, training programs, and creative economy initiatives in Canada and worldwide.
Promote diaspora and international engagement by connecting artists and cultural practitioners across global communities.
Facilitate international cultural exchange programs between Canada and countries worldwide.
Support the growth of creative industries as a driver of economic development and cultural diplomacy on a global scale.
05What we do
Festivals, exhibitions and cultural events that bring diverse global audiences together.
Exchange programs linking artists and practitioners in Canada with countries worldwide.
Growing the creative economy as a driver of development and cultural diplomacy.
Tourism programs connecting Canada, Rwanda, Africa and the world.
Workshops, training and creative economy initiatives in Canada and worldwide.
06Projects & legacy
Annual festival · Musanze
An annual cultural event organized by Ikirenga Art and Culture Promotion that celebrates Rwanda's rich cultural heritage, its artistic expressions, language and natural beauty.
Artists, performers and cultural enthusiasts gather while embassies, international schools and NGOs showcase their own cultures, fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Explore the festival
With UNESCO · Aschberg Programme
Implemented in partnership with UNESCO through its UNESCO-Aschberg Programme to protect and promote artistic freedom across Rwanda, in three phases:
Research: understanding the challenges, gaps and opportunities in the Rwandan artistic community.
Capacity building: targeted training to equip artists with the skills to address them.
Exhibition: a platform for trained artists to present work to investors, partners and the public.
Funded by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to empower Rwanda's creative community.
A stage for young creatives, launched in Musanze on May 15, 2021, with Symphony Band and leading fashion agencies.
Business and entrepreneurship skills for young artists, helping them build sustainable enterprises from their talents.
07Press & stories
Ikirenga takes part as an observer in UNESCO's global meeting on the 2005 Convention in Paris, pushing for funding and skills for the creative sector.
A look at the Ikirenga Artistic Freedom Initiative and its work on the legal, social and economic barriers artists face, with a focus on women's voices.
The festival returns to Musanze from October 12 to 18, alongside the Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony.
A mid-term review in Kigali and Musanze with UNESCO and the Rwanda Arts Council on visibility, funding and gender balance for artists.
Bushali, Sintex and Ugandan artists are expected at the Ikirenga festival in Musanze, held alongside Kwita Izina.
08Partners & collaborators
