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Designing and Delivering the Artivism Fellowship
- Gregory
- February 1, 2026
Situation
Across East Africa, persistent social injustices, restricted civic space and inequality are driving demand for new forms of advocacy. Artivism—where artistic expression becomes a tool for activism—offers a powerful pathway for amplifying marginalised voices. To strengthen this emerging movement, ForumCIV sought a structured fellowship that could equip artists and activists with the skills and networks to drive social change
Assignment
The challenge was to design and deliver a robust, repeatable fellowship model for two cohorts (2022 and 2024), integrating training, mentorship and practical project development. With a total programme budget of USD 100,000, the goal was to build a curriculum and support system that enables fellows to develop impactful artivism initiatives addressing local injustices.
Approach
The fellowship was structured around curriculum design, recruitment, an intensive residency, sustained mentorship and a final public showcase. Modules covered creative expression, advocacy, entrepreneurship and project management. Workshops, collaborative activities and ongoing coaching supported participants from idea generation to project implementation, while evaluation tools ensured continuous programme refinement.
Result
A comprehensive Artivism Fellowship Guide, two fully delivered cohorts and a portfolio of community-rooted artivism projects emerged. Participants reported stronger advocacy skills, deeper networks and increased confidence in using art for social justice—demonstrating the fellowship’s role in cultivating a new wave of creative change-makers across East Africa.