Tempo Arts Centre: Flourishing Within the Doughnut

Introduction:

Nestled in the heart of Lucky Summer, a bustling estate in Nairobi, Kenya, lies Tempo Arts Centre—a testament to community resilience and the transformative power of art. Situated near the Dandora dumpsite, the area initially presented significant environmental and social challenges, including polluted waterways and a neglected quarry. However, Tempo’s journey demonstrates a different path even with its fair share of hurdles, one that aligns beautifully with the principles of the Doughnut Economy and a vision of deep design for economic development within grassroot communities (and business).

The Doughnut Economy in Action:

Tempo Arts Centre brilliantly embodies several key principles of the Doughnut Economy:

• Decent Work: The centre provides meaningful employment and skills development for young people. The acrobatic training isn't just recreation; it's a pathway to professional performance, leading to income generation and international travel opportunities.

• · Education: Tempo has had a ripple effect beyond the immediate participants. A local resident describes how one of its members, has assisted his peers with their education, even supporting their grandchild. 

• · Community Engagement & Social Equity: The transformation of the abandoned quarry into a vibrant community hub showcases the power of collective action. The collaborative cleanup efforts demonstrate shared ownership and responsibility. 

• Land Use & Climate Change: By planting native trees, crops (cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas, and creating a fish pond, Tempo champions ecological restoration and responsible land use. It demonstrates how economic activity can contribute to environmental regeneration rather than degradation.

 

Deep Design for Business—A Community-Led Approach:

Tempo Arts Centre epitomizes Marjorie Kelly's deep design for business:

• Purpose-Driven: The centre is driven by a powerful social mission, focusing on community upliftment and youth empowerment, not simply profit maximization. This is evident in the testimonies of its members. 

 

• Democratic Ownership & Governance: While not explicitly detailed, the collaborative nature of Tempo suggests a democratic ownership structure and decision-making process. This warrants further investigation and could be enriched with additional details in the complete story.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Tempo successfully engages multiple stakeholders: young artists, trainers, community members, and international audiences, creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem. 
• Regenerative Approach: The project’s commitment to ecological regeneration transcends simple sustainability. It actively heals the environment while creating economic opportunities, a core tenet of deep design. 

• Local Ownership & Resilience: The community-based nature of Tempo fosters local ownership and makes it more resilient to external shocks. 

Conclusion:

Tempo Arts Centre offers a powerful model for a regenerative and equitable economy. By integrating artistic expression with community development and environmental stewardship, it demonstrates the practical application of the Doughnut Economy and the transformative potential of deep design in economic empowerment within grassroot and marginalized communities. Tempo’s success shows that a flourishing community and a healthy planet are not mutually exclusive but rather intrinsically linked. The project represents a beacon of hope, demonstrating that economic growth can be both socially just and ecologically restorative.

More Available on the Mini-Documentary, made by the Tempo and Tuvuli community

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Credits: Footage shot, directed and edited by the community