Sponsor: Ford Foundation (ff), Media Arts and Culture Programme (MAC) grantees

The Challenge

Originally named The Performing and Visual Arts Centre, what is now known as “The Go Down” was founded in 2003 by a small team of leading artists based in Nairobi, with the intent to establish an alternative arts centre providing rehearsal and performance spaces for new artists and new art forms to experiment, create and develop their talents and reputations. The Go Down faced all the challenges of finding donors, building its programmes, establishing its infrastructure, managing staff and volunteers, and securing long-term financial sustainability.  Given these challenges, the Go Down decided to accept the offer from ford foundation of developing a partnership with PEN.

PEN Support Services

During the past five years PEN has responded to a series of requests for organizational development support.  During year 1, PEN provided advice on registration and governance.  In year 2, PEN gave advice on staffing, structure, management and financial systems and procedures. In year 3, PEN facilitated the Go Down’s first Strategic Planning Process and accompanying resource mobilization plan.  During year 4, PEN designed and developed an ‘Arts Management Seminar’ that was offered to Cultural Arts leaders in 2006 and 2008.  PEN also gave inputs to the annual EA Arts Summit organized by the Go-Down.  In year 5 PEN facilitated the production of the Go Down’s second Strategic Plan and its presentation to interested donors.

Impact

Today (February 2010), the Go-Down is a household name in the E African arts scene.  It owns its premises; currently being upgraded for the second time. It continues to offer a busy schedule of performances for increasing and diverse audiences, it is home to a number of innovative and progressive arts companies, and it is a preferred venue for topical dialogue and people’s participation in issues of national importance.  The GoDown has a strong, qualified and well trained staff team and is mid way through implementing its second strategy, supported by diverse donors and an element of self-generated income.

“There is no doubt that the consistent support PEN has provided to the Go Down in strategic planning and board development, over the past six years, has made significant impact on the growth and development of the Go Down. Through PEN’s assistance, the Go Down developed and implemented its first strategic plan and recently, launched its second plan. The benefits of the input from PEN are clear: – the Go Down has been able to contextualize its role and is finding its niche; the organization has grown to now include experienced staff in senior and middle management levels; the Go Down Board has been constituted and it has offered requisite support to management in critical times; and the Go down has secured physical assets, with plans to further develop and utilize these in ways that enhance sustainability of the organization.”