History of Umoja
Arusha, Tanzania is located at the foot of Mt. Meru, just west of the famous Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is a city filled with an incredible variety of people from all walks of life. When co-founder of the Umoja Arts Project, Liza Barley, came to Arusha in 2005 to teach violin at the International School of Moshi (Arusha Campus), she recognized an immense artistic potential in the citizens of Arusha. However, it was also plain to her that due to socio-economic factors and an obvious lack of support from the government, the arts in Tanzania seem to suffer from persistent neglect, and the limited opportunities that are available may only be taken advantage of by a privileged few. The chances to visit a museum or an exhibition, to enjoy a concert or the theater are extremely rare in Arusha. In addition, arts education in Tanzanian schools is virtually non-existent and opportunities for artists to share and expand upon their work are slim to none.
Ms. Barley immediately began expanding the violin program and established the Arusha Suzuki Program. However, a bigger need lay before her and within a year she began an outreach program to reach those who do not have the same access to music education as those at the International School. To house this program along with the Arusha Suzuki Program and in hopes of expanding even further, the Umoja Music School, Ltd. Company was founded. She soon joined forces with violinist Jessica Welch, visual artist Linda Willms, and dancer Tiana Razafy and together they began to form the foundations that would lead to Umoja Arts Centre.
The organization slowly began to take shape; at its core, a mission to enrich life through the arts and to create a sustainable and meaningful economy for all the arts in Tanzania.
In December 2007, Umoja found a home. Through the generosity of a local Tanzanian family they were able to centralize their efforts and transformed what used to be government housing for judges into the now bustling Umoja Arts Centre. More than 100 students come to The Centre to explore art, music and dance, and artists, both local and international gather to exhibit and perform their work. Umoja truly is a place where "unity" resonates in every corner and every smile, and its message is rippling throughout Tanzania.