Our DNA

Vision: At ArtGlo, we envision African societies that are just, inclusive and equitable

Mission: ArtGlo catalyzes citizen voice, action and leadership to address Africa’s most pressing challenges and influence policy and decision making

VALUES

Umunthu

Our worldview and work is rooted in Ubuntu/Umunthu – “I am because you are”. We seek to build societies where people live in harmony with each other and the planet; where the commons are reclaimed for common good; and where people’s humanity and dignity are affirmed regardless of who and what they are.

Justice

We live in a grossly unequal and unjust world and Global south countries and people of colour have borne the brunt of this injustice and inequality for centuries. We acknowledge that to solve the world's problems and address inequalities, we need to apply a justice lens to all we do.

African Agency

We are actively engaged in shaping the Africa we want. We are strong, powerful and have a voice. We are leading an African renaissance, in solidarity with other like minded individuals and organisations.

Creative Expression

We live by Pablo Picasso’s words, speaking of his now world-famous anti-war painting, Guernica,: “Painting is not made to decorate apartments. It's an offensive and defensive weapon against the enemy.” We utilise the transformative power of the arts as a tool for creative expression which hopefully leads to changes in policy and practice.

Massroots

We are deeply connected to communities we work directly with and are conscious of our power and privilege, and therefore we come alongside communities as allies not saviours. We do not work in communities, we work with them. We do not build capacities, we nourish each other. We do not solve their problems, we co-create solutions. We do not set their agenda, we create space for self representation and provide technical skills to politicize and engender community agendas. We do not speak on their behalf, we amplify their voices. The strength of our work is in the depth of community roots!