Our New Art Centre

32° East is a home for creation, experimentation and critical thinking through contemporary art. Since 2011, we’ve expanded possibilities for art making in Uganda through our residencies, resource centre and public programming.

In October 2021 after a long journey of fundraising, plot searching, design changing and more, we broke ground on the first ever purpose built art centre in Kampala. We split the design and construction of the centre into two phases, to make the most of the funding that we have been able to raise thus far.

The innovative ecological design by New Makers Bureau and constructed by Localworks Uganda has since been featured in Andariya, Architecture Today, Archello, Architecture Journal, Daily Monitor, Detail, Dezeen, DesignBoom, Domus, Selamta, Stir World, Wallpaper, and in 2023 was awarded Culture Project of the Year by Dezeen Awards.

Through support from incredible donors and significant contributions from the Sigrid Rausing Trust, DOEN Foundation, Roofings Group, and the African Arts Trust plus pro-bono architectural services from New Makers Bureau, Phase 1 opened in March 2023 and consists of 4 artists’ studios and our library/co-working space.

To celebrate this moment and to launch the fundraising drive for phase 2, we held a crowdfunding campaign #32BreaksGround, which brought an additional $96,000 towards the project.

So this is just the beginning! Phase 2 will include 2 more studios, a cafe, gallery and walled garden, workshop space, and shops. Please get involved and join hundreds of supporters in helping bring our dream to life!

Expanded Resources for the new 32° East

Six artists’ studios

Increasing our current capacity by 100%. We will have three studios dedicated to our residency programme and then have three additional studios that we would lease out to local artists who are more established in their practice and wish to be surrounded by a community of artists who give additional inspiration, feedback, and possible collaboration opportunities.

A well resourced learning centre and library

To house 32° East’s extensive art library. It will also offer free computer and WI-FI access and an editing suite for digital artists, filmmakers and sound designers. We also have a number of digital toolkits that offer tutorials and templates on writing artist statements, exhibition reviews and applications. We will also have more space to host skills-based workshops, and be able to better accommodate international arts professionals from different contexts who can share alternative practices

Accommodation for visiting artists

To improve our facilities for artists and reduce costs. Up to this point, we have hosted creative professionals from over 20 countries but have spent thousands of pounds on external accommodation. This has also meant that we have been unable to host as many regional and international artists which is a severe limitation. When we are not hosting artists, the rooms will be available for short term stays providing revenue for our operations.

Café and art shop

To bring in regular income and reduce our reliance on donor funding. The café will welcome new audiences who may otherwise never visit an art centre and will promote a sustainable ethos by using fresh produce from our on-site garden. We also hope to invite chefs-in-residence from our network, extending international exchange and cross-cultural collaboration beyond the studios. The art shop aims to be a convenient and quality resource for artists who can now go to one place for canvas, brushes, paints etc.

A purpose-built public art gallery

To present a rolling programme of free, local and international exhibitions. This gallery will especially highlight non-commercial, more experimental art to serve as a well-resourced space for more adventurous work. It allows us to not only give space to emerging artists to help them find their voice and an audience, but also gives space to emerging curators to do the same.

Our Project Partners

New Makers Bureau

New Makers Bureau is a London-based RIBA Chartered Architecture Practice, making environmentally and socially conscious buildings for the common good. They make buildings with passion and purpose that tread lightly on the earth, considering the finite and precious resources available and deploying them with thought and care.

Localworks

Localworks is an award-winning multi-disciplinary design and build collaborative, based in Uganda, that specialises in the design and realisation of ecological architecture in East Africa. Localworks provides one-stop masterbuilder services with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects in difficult environments.