Terra Kulture: Celebrating decade of excellence
In the past 10 , Terra Kulture, Lagos has positioned itself as a leading gallery featuring over 80 per cent of leading artists at its gallery. It has also impacted positively on the performing artistes, writers, fashion designers and Nollywood stars, In this article, its funder Bolanle Austen-Peters writes on the journey so far.
Terra Kulture, Lagos, is an educational and recreational private sector organisation set up in 2003 to promote the richness and diversity of Nigerian languages, arts and culture. It commenced operations in 2004.
Today, Terra Kulture is a resounding success recognised as a major cultural hub in Nigeria for expatriates, students, Hollywood and Nollywood stars, artists and members of the diplomatic corps. When Terra Kulture started, the founder Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters was supported by Mr. Tayo Aderinokun the late Managing Director/Founder of GTBank.
Terra Kulture has positioned itself as the leading gallery in Nigeria with over 80 per cent of the major and young artists having exhibited at its gallery. The gallery has exhibited artists such as Kolade Oshinowo, Abiodun Olaku, Bruce Onobrakeya, Ablade Glover, Abayomi Barber, Olu Amoda, Sam Ovraiti, Alex Nwokolo, Ndidi Dike, Olu Ajayi, Sam Ebohon, Lekan Onabanjo, Defactory studio, Iponri studio, Guild of professional fine artists of Nigeria, Diseye Tantua and Segun Aiyesan .
It has successfully changed the face of the art practice in Nigeria in the 10 years of its existence, professionalising the art business and promoting cultural heritage. It also started an art Auction House in 2009 with the late Aderinokun having raised the idea. Terra Kulture auction has grown to become one of the leading auction houses in Nigeria, stimulating activities and growth in the secondary art market with hundreds of works sold, boosting the growth in the primary market. The auction house has also helped in valuation of works and promoting price stability.
In 2006, Mrs. Austen-Peters initiated the Theatre @ Terra project ignite growth in the theatre industry. Today, Theatre @ Terra is the only consistent theatre house in Nigeria with live plays every Sunday and with renowned Nigerian thespians that include Segun Adefila, Joke Silva, Wole Oguntokun, Kenneth Uphopho, Nick Monu, Sefi Atta, Uche Nwokedi and Gbenga Yussuf.
Terra Kulture has also played a major role in the literary art with its bookstore promoting hundreds of Nigerian books and organizing book reading sessions to help promote reading culture in Nigeria. The centre has hosted writers such as Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Adichie, Sefi Atta, Tony Kan, Lola Shoneyin, among others.
Terra Kulture, reading room and, virtual office has been part of the success stories of many companies which started small at Terra Kulture but grew to own their own office spaces. It has also supported the ambitions of many people who have studied for many local and international exams at Terra Kulture
Terra Kulture has played host to most of the foremost primary and secondary schools in Lagos who over the years have consistently visited the centre on excursions to learn more about Nigerian art and culture. Terra Kulture has also conducted cultural orientation programs for some embassies and foreign missions in Nigeria, teaching them about our culture, way of life and language.
Nigerian fashion has also enjoyed the Terra Kulture touch with award winning brands like Ituen Basi, Tae and many more having been promoted at Terra Kulture. It has also played host to numerous fashion shows and fashion label launch.
Of recent Terra Kulture has ventured into the promotion of Nigerian movies. Its introduction of Nigerian movies to the corporate world through corporate private screenings has revolutionalised movie promotion in Nigeria, thereby bringing Nollywood to the fore front of corporate entertainment.
In its 10 years of existence Terra Kulture has organised over two hundred art exhibitions, seven art auctions, ninety plays, sixty book readings and over ten thousand adults and children have attended its language classes and excursions.
In association with Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions, Terra Kulture raised the bar in the theatre industry with the production of SARO the Musical last year, a production which enjoyed numerous accolades and reviews from international media houses including the BBC and SKY News and has since produced five additional plays despite the lack of infrastructure to support such.
A proudly Nigerian organisation, Terra Kulture has been in the forefront of the promotion of Nigerian art and culture, developing talents and creating employment in the sector with the employment of over 60 staff and the creation of over 150 additional ancillary jobs on a monthly basis through its theatre and arts products.
Some of its staff have grown to become experts in art and culture matter, travelling to various countries for work and professional development. This has positioned them to be leaders in the industry and has helped in making Terra Kulture a truly professional art centre.
Despite the difficult business environment Terra Kulture has continued to excel in all aspect of the arts, a sector that is heavily funded by the government and grants all over the world but that suffers neglect in Nigeria. Terra Kulture has been passionately encouraging investments in the arts and cultural sector, building capacity and also discovering and developing talents.
With the visionary leadership of the founder Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters, Terra Kulture continues to attract local and international attention and accolades, standing out as model in the art business helping drive growth in the sector.
In celebrating 10 years of innovation and value add, Access Bank is partnering with Terrakulture in promoting its programmes through its sponsorship of the anniversary celebrations and Saro the Musical 2 coming up between December 24 and28 . This is consistent with Access Bank’s commitment to the promotion of Arts and Culture and women owned businesses.
With a decade of outstanding service to Nigeria, and now with the backing of Access Bank, Terra Kulture is well-positioned as the cultural hub of Nigeria and truly the Cultural Centre.
•Mrs Austen-Peters is the proprietor of Terra Kulture