尼约艺术中心由 Niyonsenga Pacifique 创立。成长于基加利街头的他,后来受到加拿大家庭资助,走出困境、投身艺术,并立志用创意改变社区。中心的核心使命包括为卢旺达及东非地区创意艺术家提供驻地机会,并通过艺术、舞蹈、音乐等形式促进社区发展。
地址位于基加利 KG 572 街。画廊设有 17 位来自大湖区的驻地艺术家,展示大量当代非洲艺术作品。与画廊连通的还有艺术咖啡厅,游客可在欣赏作品之余,品尝本地咖啡、享受休憩。
画廊中展示绘画、雕塑、传统鼓乐、舞蹈演出等多种形式。游客可观看驻地艺术家现场创作、参与工作坊,甚至购买原作带回家。
推荐在下午或平日访问,以避开游客高峰、拥有更安静的体验。营业时间大致为 08:00‑23:00。建议安排 1–2 小时,若参与工作坊可留出更长时间。交通方面,自基加利市区可通过 Moto(三轮车)或步行抵达 KG 572 街。
艺术中心的咖啡厅不只是配角,其强调本地咖啡豆、“艺术+味觉”体验,让参观更为立体。游客可在画作之间停下,品味一杯咖啡、感受艺术氛围。
中心设有工作坊可学习绘画、雕塑、传统鼓舞。儿童参与也广泛:来自贫困家庭的孩子在此获得教育支持,并参与展演。若有兴趣,可直接从艺术家处购买画作,既获取纪念品,也支持当地社区。
尼约艺术中心将其事业视为一种社会创新:部分收益投入教育、妇女扶持、社区发展。参观者不仅欣赏艺术,也在一定程度参与当地文化与社会生态。
众多游客来到卢旺达往往选择野生动物或纪念馆参观。尼约艺术中心则提供“艺术+社区+文化”交汇的视角,让旅程更具深度。
Crispin Ewen We had a wonderful experience at the Niyo Arts Center! The owners and their brothers were incredibly warm and welcoming. The café served delicious food, and we were impressed by how well the brothers spoke English—it made the visit even more enjoyable. The gallery features a diverse and vibrant collection of artwork with free admission. Highly recommend a visit!
MACALI Jr. John Bosco As I wandered through the vibrant streets of Kigali during my evening work shift, I stumbled upon a hidden gem that completely took my breath away. This enchanting place, tucked away from the bustling main thoroughfares, is a delightful secret that radiates charm and creativity. The walls are adorned with captivating artwork from local artists, each piece telling a unique story that seems to come alive in the warm glow of the softly luminescent lighting. Every display is thoughtfully organized, inviting visitors to lose themselves in the intricate details—delicate brushstrokes, bold colors, and intriguing textures that reflect the rich culture of Rwanda. The air is filled with a sense of creativity, as the harmonious blend of colors and designs draws you deeper into this immersive experience. Whether it’s the vibrant abstracts or the poignant representations of Rwandan heritage, this unique spot offers an engaging atmosphere where creativity and culture intertwine seamlessly. I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to this captivating venue, where you can truly savor its charm and appreciate the magic it holds within its walls!
Joseph Tema The gallery is a very nice space showcasing the work of dozens of artists from Rwanda and the wider East African region. It is a vibrant colourful space with a delightful cafe as well. I would not however that much of the artwork is clearly priced for American tourists with a lot of disposable income to spare. I have travelled extensively around eastern and southern Africa and normally look to buy some original artwork from local artists along the way and I have never seen prices like this. Small 20x20cm canvases were retailing at $300USD minimum with some of the bigger works reaching in the region of $14,000USD. That being said the proceeds go into supporting local kids and as well as the artists. I’m merely warning you if you’re travelling on a budget and looking to pick up something that isn’t too expensive.
Alana Krzyzak To start, the grounds are welcoming and colorful! Incredible artwork by many resident artists. Had the pleasure of talking with one who happened to study in the US near where we lived, one of those fun things about traveling - meeting new people, sharing stories and connecting in more ways than you could imagine! Love that 40% of their profits are given back to the community. Lovely cafe serving coffee, juices, smoothies and food.
THE MK7 Starting with the gallery and I must say I loved all the art work. Art across the world mostly has regional inspiration and the art pieces here really tells a story about Rwanda and what they hold dear. From the paintings of gorillas to the serene landscapes, every painting has a unique story behind it. The founder, Niyo was present when I visited and I must say he is a very charismatic and welcoming host. I love the vision he has using art as a driving force and it is wonderful what his foundation is doing for children in Kigali. Prices of the artworks here are a little on the high side but I believe it is for a charitable cause so it will be worth every dime. Now to the cafe, wow, I must say the experience was exceptional. Every dish, drink, and pastry I had was artistically splendid. This is one place I will encourage people to try out the food whenever they are in Kigali. Overall I really loved the experience here. It is one I will cherish for years. You should visit there whenever you're in Kigali. Amazing!