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Nairobi, Kenya

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SPRINTS

SPRINTS x TEDxNairobi

Brilliant art for social impact
What is SPRINTS?

SPRINTS is an original format developed by Fine Acts – a global creative studio for social impact. SPRINTS x TEDx focuses on bringing artists together to work on creating powerful hopeful illustrations on climate change to more effectively communicate the issue and raise awareness.

SPRINTS explores the intersection of social issues and visual art, and demonstrates the potential of art to communicate important messages in creative, impactful and engaging ways.

Creating powerful visual content on social issues results in raising visibility and engagement, and fostering understanding and empathy. The format enhances and nurtures the sensitivity of the art communities towards human rights,social and environmental issues, and inspires them to continue pursuing projects with purpose.

Works will be published online under an open license, so that activists and nonprofits globally can use them to fuel their future campaign work.  In addition, selected works may be showcased at TED, TED Countdown, and Fine Arts events or digital channels. 

SPRINTS - TEDxNairobi Edition

Hosted for the first time in Nairobi as part of TED Countdown, TEDxNairobi is one of TEDx events around the world selected to organize SPRINTS.

For 48 hours, 10 visual artists (illustrators, graphic designers and typographers) will come together to produce a host of powerful visual works on climate change. Each edition of SPRINTS ends with a pop-up exhibition.

Event Details
Theme: The sprint focused on Climate Change – with a focus on solutions and hope.
  • Date: 16 - 17 May
  • Location: Chez Mamadi, Kitisuru, Nairobi
  • Duration: 2 full days (in-person only)
  • Participation: Free (with meals covered). All selected participants received USD 300 as stipend for their participation.
Event Link
Selected Artists
Elvis Owuor
Illustrator
Mwadzame Omar
Self taught designer and interdisciplinary artist
Lynn Atieno
Digital Illustrator
Dada
NFT creator & multidisciplinary artist
Mutai Emmanuel
Animator and Illustrator
Nikita Abuya
Self-taught visual artist
Stephen Mutuku
Graphic designer
Wanjira
Illustrator
Lawrence Mwachiro
Visual artist and Illustrator
Brian Kamau
Illustrator
How It Works
Sprint & Create:

Over 2 days brainstorm, sketch, and finalize campaign-ready visuals and showcase to your peers.

Exhibition

A pop-up exhibition will be curated to showcase the work created during the sprint. Details will be shared with participants following the event.

Open License:

All final artworks are shared under a Creative Commons license on thegreats.co to be used freely by activists and organizations worldwide.

What’s In It For You?
  • Expand your portfolio with high-impact work
  • Join a global community of artist-activists
  • Access tools, resources, and global platforms to amplify your work
  • Receive credit and visibility for your contributions
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for:

Digital visual artists - Illustrators, graphic designers, lettering artists and typographers. Other types of visual artists working in the field of painting, ceramics, video, AR, VR, photography etc. are not eligible. The final format of the work is a flat/2D, 50x70 cm (or a 3:4) poster.

Based in Kenya (no matter if the artist is a citizen, resident, refugee, or an asylum-seeker).

Selection Criteria
https://thegreats.co/artworks/always-welcome-no-text
Credit: Sabrena Khadija for Unbound Philanthropy x Fine Acts
  • Artist Portfolio - Established, professional artists, with a portfolio that can be reviewed.
  • Digital Visual Arts - Work in the following fields: illustration, graphic design,lettering, topography.
  • Use of Color - Generally work in color.
  • Climate Change - Show interest in climate change and environmental issues (optional).
  • Diversity - We always strive for diversity.
How to Apply
  • Application Deadline: - 25 April 2025
  • Selection Notification Date: - 29 April 2025
Apply Now

We will select around 10 participants, aiming for representation across disciplines, experience levels, and identities.

Partners & Support
This edition of SPRINTS is brought to you by TEDxNairobi in partnership with Fine Acts and TED Countdown.