Curriculum Vitae
Violet Nantume
P.O Box 16534 Ssentema Road, Mengo, Kampala, Uganda
+256753177512 / +256700565339
Email: violet@ugandanartstrust.org / violet.nantume@gmail.com
Skype: violet.nantume
 
Education:
2008-2011 Makerere University Kampala, Bachelor's degree of Industrial and Fine Arts.
2005-2006 Lubiri Secondary School, Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (U.A.C.E)
2001-2004 Trinity College Nabbingo, Uganda Certificate of Education (U.C.E)
1994-2000 Rubaga Girls Primary School, Primary Leaving Examinations (P.L.E)
Artistic and Curatorial Experience:
August 2012 – Present: Project Manager, 32º East | Ugandan Arts Trust.
Responsibilities include: Researched, designed and implemented a theoretical and practical programme of workshops for
the Ugandan arts community. Written and won successful funding bids for core areas in 32° East's programme. Assisted
in studio critiques with Ugandan, East African and International artists in residence. Delivered extensive feedback reports
for funders and Directors of 32° East.

June 2014: Intern Deveron Arts
Overseeing the residencies of two Ugandan artists Sanaa Gateja and Xenson Ssenkaaba.

May 2014: Intern Dak'Art 11th Biennale of African Art
Assiting the curatorial committee in installing the exhibition. Sponsored by the Prince Claus Travel Fund.
 
June 2013: Co-Curator, 3rd edition, National Civil Society Organizations. "Our Country, Our Dignity, My Duty"
This exhibition aimed at consolidating stakeholder synergy, networks and solidarity across a multitude of creative
NGOs
 
May 2013 "A History of Ghana in the last five weeks"
An interactive exhibition that concluded the 3rd International Programme: The Archive: Static, Embodied,
Practiced.
 
March 2013: International Women's Day celebration 2013
I managed an art space themed "How Independent is the Ugandan Woman" which sought to examine women's
progress since Ugandan Independence and challenged the public to aspire to a better woman for a better Uganda.
 
October 2012: Assistant manager for KLA ART 012.
Kampala's First Contemporary Art Festival. For video documentation please see: vimeo.com/ugandanartstrust/klaart012
2010 – 2011: Kann Artist Studio Artists' Assistant
Assistant to Dr. George Kyeyune (PhD Makerere University) and Maria Naita.
 
2009 – 2010: Kazi Ni Kazi Sculpture Studio, Trainee in metal casting.
Responsibilities include: Experience and understanding in metal casting and foundry practices
 
2008 – 2010: Workshop Facilitator
Facilitated art workshops and fundraising for marginalized children through use of crafts using locally available materials
like clay, wood and found objects.
 
October 2013: Artist Assistant:
Participated in the making of "The Journey Monument", a significant art piece commemorating Uganda's Golden
Jubilee before going on to focus on  
Workshops
September 2013: Training facilitator.
Bayimba Curatorial Workshop; "Curatorial practices in the Public Sphere" facilitated by Gabi Ngcobo.
 
May 2013: Participant
Selected for and attended the 3rd International Art programme for artists and curators; "The Archive: Static,
Embodied, Practiced", Accra Ghana facilitated by Olabisi Silva and Adwoa Amoah.
 
May 2013: Participant
Attended the Global Crit Clinic, Accra Ghana facilitated by Kianga Ford and Karyn Olivia.
 
Artistic Practice: Group Exhibitions:
 
June 2011 – August 2011:
"Think globally: Act locally". Kingdon house, Makerere School of Industrial and Fine Arts
December 2009 - January 2010:
 "Nativity. Birth. Rebirth", Makerere Art Gallery, Kampala.
October 2009:
"Independence Exhibition" Makerere Art Gallery, Kampala.
Biography
Born in I987, Violet Nantume graduated from Makerere University, where she majored in jewelry making and
Ugandan Contemporary Art History. Her jewelry making explores the use of locally available clay, which is
uncommon in today's Ugandan fashion market. She has discovered clay to be both cost effective and fluid in
expression and therefore the perfect material to explore a growing interest in public participation in contemporary
art and design. Nantume's practice has it's foundations in making and artistic processes which provides a solid
platform for her to pursue a specific curatorial interest of public engagement.
She assisted the directors of the first contemporary public art festival in Uganda, KLA ART 2012, in both the
formative and implementation stages. She has also curated an art space at the International Women's Day
celebration 2013, in which the public collectively painted a mural on the "Past, present and future of the
Independent Woman." Together with Robinah Nansubuga she co-curated the Art Competition exhibition for "The
National CSO Fair 2013." Through her current position as Project Manager at 32° East | Ugandan Arts Trust,
Nantume has taken interest in theory of identity and their formation in Ugandan Art History. By exploring archives
and documenting, Nantume is working on a proposal to document Ugandan Art Legends and how their art
responded to the prevailing political situations but also how it builds into Contemporary artists since 1960.
Following participation as a curator in the Global Crit Clinic and 3rd International Art program held in Accra Ghana,
with a grant from Arts Collaboratory she co- facilitated a Bayimba Curatorial Workshop 2013 led by South African
curator, Gabi Ngcobo.
She is currently designing an informal education system, which includes life skills, art theories and art technique for
art practitioners from all backgrounds at 32º East | Ugandan Arts Trust.