Art in Heart Gallery Limited has launched a creative empowerment initiative for over 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the New Kuchingoro Camp, Abuja—leveraging the power of art and crafts to build skills, promote self-reliance, and foster community transformation.
The outreach focuses on equipping IDPs with hands-on training in commercially viable skills such as face painting, tie and dye, necklace making, batik, and clothing production. The goal is to enable participants to view art not only as expression but as entrepreneurship.
"We want to help IDPs move beyond survival into self-sufficiency," said Evans Chinedum, National Coordinator and Creative Director of Art in Heart Gallery. "Art is a healing and economic tool. With it, lives can be rebuilt."
The Community Manager, Kwaghe Stephanie, emphasized the business potential of creative skills. "This is more than therapy—it's a livelihood path. We're showing participants how art can be turned into a sustainable venture," she said.
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The initiative received strong local support, including book donations pledged by Jessica David, CEO of JMD, and enthusiastic endorsements from camp officials and beneficiaries.
Tahir Ali, a camp staff member, noted: "These skills are life-changing. They bring hope and offer a roadmap to independence."
Art in Heart Gallery is now calling for partnerships with NGOs, private sector players, and development agencies to scale and sustain the program, ensuring more IDPs can transition into creative micro-enterprises.
This initiative aligns with broader national efforts to promote inclusive entrepreneurship and community-based MSME development across vulnerable populations in Nigeria.
