We envision Mirror Arts to be an advocate for diversity, representation, and positive change in Kenya’s creative community.
- To expand our reach beyond Dandora to the larger Nairobi Eastlands area.
- To grow our register of artists from 20 to 100 members.
- To create lasting referral pathways with the community to help alleviate cases of violence within the LBQ and GNC communities.
- To equip artists with skills to compete in local and international markets.
- Attending our live performances – Some shows are ticketed and this contributes to the revenue we generate for future activities. It also encourages our artists as when they feel supported in their journey.
- Making a donation – This can be through a monetary contribution or by volunteering your expertise.
- Amplifying our work – Spreading the word about our work helps us to have a greater impact.
- Funding our projects – Some projects need a lot of resources to achieve. Funding us allows our team to have the capacity to execute the projects, extend our reach, and offer services to the target groups.
- Becoming a member – Increasing our membership helps us to enrich our perspective and expands our range of ideas. Persons who are eligible to join us should be between 18-35 years, reside in Dandora or its environs (Kariobangi, Kayole, Korogocho), practicing or aspiring creative artists (performing, visual, craft or fine artists), and identify as LBQ or GNC.
By working with Mirror Arts, you are directly contributing towards the empowerment of queer and disadvantaged artists. We work with queer and at-risk artists by providing training and mentorship programs that can help them enhance their skills. Overall, we want our members to have a safe and dignified source of livelihood.
An organization or individual allied with Mirror Arts contributes to the broader shift in perspective necessary to stop discrimination of persons based on their sexual orientation. Discrimination of queer persons affects how they obtain crucial services like sexual and reproductive health resources and access protection from gender-based violence.
- We’ve hosted a dialogue on the theme of Intimate Partner Violence. During the dialogue, were able to engage community leaders and community health workers to help create a framework where survivors of IPV can access relevant information and seek the help they need when combating domestic abuse.
- We’ve staged a production titled Beyond Self and I exploring the dynamics of queer relationships, particularly the challenges of reporting Intimate Partner Violence to relevant authorities.
- We’ve conducted research on the effect of underreporting of IPV within the queer community and the different forms of abuse that take place in queer relationships.
- We’ve staged a production titled Sisterhood Rising to disseminate information within the queer community on how to identify domestic abuse; and the steps a victim can take to improve their situation.
- We’ve created a supportive environment for our members to grow their artistic skills and earn an income.
- We are a welcoming space for the queer community to meet, encourage each other, and enjoy themselves.