Discover AIC Festival 2027

More Than a Festival

A continuous platform connecting arts, culture, tourism, youth opportunity and the creative economy in Arusha.

Our Story The foundation of AIC Festival

From Experience to AIC Festival

AIC Festival emerged from practical experience and lessons learned through an earlier arts, culture and tourism initiative.

Cultural and creative activity in Arusha

A platform born from experience

The Arusha International Cultural Festival is the result of and a learning experience from the UNESCO-Alwaleed Philanthropies “Crafting Change” project implemented in 2025.

Through the project, African Tabasamu Foundation (ATAFO) implemented a six-month flagship initiative titled “Empowering Young Women through Arts and Culture”. The project integrated 60 young women into Arusha’s tourism value chain.

Branded Binti Skills, the initiative became a key turning point and highlighted wider opportunities within the creative economy and the tourism value chain.

Why AIC was conceived

AIC identified a disconnect between Arusha’s tourism value chain and young people, including young women. AIC was conceived as a response to that opportunity.

2025 Crafting Change project

60 young women reached through Binti Skills

2027 planned inaugural festival

Purpose

Why AIC Festival Matters

The festival is designed to place young people and creative enterprise closer to the opportunities within Arusha’s tourism ecosystem.

Youth Opportunity

Create practical opportunities for youth, young women, women, vulnerable populations and adults to engage with the tourism value chain.

Creative Economy

Connect artists and creative practitioners with potential investors and help transform vocational and creative skills into viable business opportunities.

International Exchange

Build connections between Arusha’s communities and local and international tourism markets through cultural exchange and partnerships.

Sustainable Development

Support a longer-term ecosystem around cultural preservation, economic opportunity, partnerships and community development.

Our Direction

An annual platform, not a one-off event

AIC as the culmination of a series of pre-festival cultural and artistic activities and programmes. These activities are intended to operate through an annual cyclical approach so that artists, development partners, government and communities can experience meaningful continuing impact.

The festival is therefore designed as more than a five-day celebration. It is intended to connect cultural expression with entrepreneurship, tourism, investment and sustainable economic opportunity.

Festival Vision

Harmonizing Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Development within the Tourism Ecosystem

AIC seeks to create a platform where culture and creativity contribute to economic opportunity while strengthening connections across the tourism ecosystem.

Festival Management

Meet the AIC Team

AIC Festival is supported by a focused management team bringing together project management, festival direction and regional coordination.

Mawazo Chapaulinge

Project Management Consultant

Project management and coordination support for the development and delivery of AIC Festival.

Samora Edwin Mlowe

Project Director

Providing overall project direction and leadership for the development of the festival initiative.

Collins Okoth

East Africa Coordinator

Supporting regional coordination and engagement across the East African cultural and tourism landscape.

The Journey

How AIC Festival Developed

2025

Foundation

Crafting Change Project

ATAFO implemented the six-month “Empowering Young Women through Arts and Culture” initiative, supported through the UNESCO-Alwaleed Philanthropies “Crafting Change” project.

2025

Learning

Binti Skills

The project integrated 60 young women into Arusha’s tourism value chain and exposed a wider opportunity within arts, culture and the creative economy.

2026

Development

AIC Festival Concept

Building on the experience of Binti Skills, ATAFO developed the concept of an international platform connecting culture, tourism, youth and economic opportunity.

2027

Planned

Inaugural AIC Festival

The inaugural festival is planned for the last week of July 2027 in Arusha City. The specific venue is to be identified at a later stage.

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Long-term ambition

A Continuous Annual Platform

Leadership & Partnership

Organizations Behind AIC Festival

AIC Festival brings together the leadership and institutional experience needed to connect culture, youth opportunity, creative enterprise and the tourism ecosystem.

Crafting Change Partners

UNESCO

Alwaleed Philanthropies

Festival Organizing Partnership

Lead Organization

African Tabasamu Foundation (ATAFO)

Strategic Partner

Don Bosco Tanzania

Arusha International Cultural Festival 2027

Be Part of the AIC Journey

Connect with a growing platform for arts, culture, tourism and creative enterprise in Arusha.