JOY MBOYA (KENYA)
Joy Mboya is the executive director of the Performing & Visual Arts Centre Ltd, knpwn as the Godown, a nonprofit facility providing subsidised space and residency opportunities for Kenyan artists. She bought an old warehouse and transformed it into Nairobi’s epicentre for performing and visual arts, which was particularly significant because at the time of its formation, the Kenya Cultural Centre (at the Kenya National Theatre) was badly run down. The Godown thus provided much needed creative and “breathing” space for artists from all over Kenya and beyond.
Through appointment by the Minister of Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services, she has served on the Governing Council of the Kenya Cultural Centre. She also received the National Women’s Council of Kenya 2004 Merit Award for her contribution to the development of the performing arts.