Don Handa

Biography

Don Handa is a curator, writer, and podcaster based in Nairobi, whose work focuses on research-based and experimental artistic practices emerging from Eastern Africa. Currently serving as curator at the Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute (NCAI) since 2022, Handa leads exhibition development, public programming, and educational initiatives while managing curatorial and programming teams. His role encompasses strategic partnership development, collection growth oversight, and contributing to the organization's strategic planning, ensuring alignment with NCAI's mission to preserve and promote contemporary East African art.

His recent exhibition projects at NCAI include Sahej Rahal's Wayfinder (2024), Xenson's Olidde Mupipa (2024), Syowia Kyambi's KASPALE (2023), and Chelenge Van Rampelberg's retrospective The Long Way Home (2023). Notable group exhibitions include Common Ground, featuring Peterson Kamwathi, Elias Mung'ora, Morris Foit, and Onyis Martin (2023), and Mwili, Akili na Roho: 10 Figurative Painters from East Africa (2022). These projects reflect his commitment to showcasing both established and emerging artists from the region.

Prior to NCAI, Handa spent five years as Gallery Manager at Circle Art Agency (2017–2022), developing expertise in gallery operations, curatorial practice, and international art fair participation. His writing contributions include the introduction to Mwili Akili na Roho: 10 Figurative Painters from East Africa, an artist interview in Michael Armitage, Paradise Edict for Haus der Kunst, and exhibition reviews for Art Monthly. He co-creates and co-hosts CORPUS, an ongoing podcast about contemporary East African art with Nyambura Mutanyi, and has undertaken curatorial collaborations including a curatorial residency at Nafasi Art Space in Dar es Salaam and an open studio program with The African Arts Trust.

Don Handa, Curator at Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute in Nairobi, Kenya, has been awarded by Eloisa Haudenschild.