About Us —
Established in 2018, Next In Colour originated from the collaborative efforts of six African community arts practitioners under the initiative known as 'Colouring Between the Lines.' Today, this pioneering entity is led by co-founders Geskeva Komba and Ruth Nyaruot Ruach, and has since evolved into a contemporary community arts organisation dedicated to sharing the transformative power of arts and creativity to empower and drive change.
Next In Colour work across the creative industries, academia and community engagement connecting the community with opportunities and leading co-designed workshops and events.
“Why Next In Colour?
Because the next generation, the next great Australian piece of art, the next great exhibition, the next great production is going to be intercultural.
It’s going to be in colour!”
Our Team —
Co-Founder
Executive Director
Geskeva Komba
Geskeva Komba is a trans-disciplinary creative of Comorian and Tanzanian heritage.
Raised in the Western suburbs of Melbourne she has experience combined in community development, theatre, film, spoken word, as well as music.
Geskeva continues to work in spaces that combine critical thinking, art and community.
Co-Founder
Executive Director
Ruth Nyaruot Ruach
Ruth Nyaruot Ruach is a South-Sudanese multidisciplinary artist, who uses art to heal, explore her surroundings and create comfort within her blackness.
Ruth's art explores the experiences of being an African of the diaspora although she is strongly influenced by, decolonising language, tone and the cultivation of shared perspectives in place of assimilation.
Research
Collaborator
Prof. Christopher Sonn
Christopher Sonn is research fellow with the Institute for Health and Sport and Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit and a research leader for the Community Identity and Displacement Research Network at Victoria University.
He has over 100 publications in high-ranking journals and edited books.
His internationally recognised research involves understanding and elevating the voices of individuals and groups who are marginalised or excluded through forms of violence such as racism and sexism.
Christopher has expertise in community and liberation psychology and qualitative and creative methodologies.
Graphic
Designer
Mandela Komba
Mandela Komba is a 2D digital illustrator from Melbourne, Australia, but currently based in Japan. His creative journey has seen him work with a diverse group of people and organisations such as Next In Colour, cohealth, VicHealth, Diafrix and esteemed fellow Melbournian and popular digital artist Bosslogic.
Throughout his 10+ years as a freelancer he has had the fortunate opportunity to continue honing his skills providing concept design, character design, toy design, graphic design solutions, illustration and animation.
“Birds sing not because they have answers but because they have songs”
~ African Proverb
Our Values —
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We believe that fairness and honesty is important to building transparency for reciprocal respect amongst ourselves, community, partners and peers. Taking accountability in delivering authenticity to our work that upholds personal and community integrity.
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We strive to centre self-care, in its various forms to build ongoing solidarity and awareness of how we can grow and reach our full potential. Allowing a willingness to learn but also looking after individual and collective wellbeing as a whole.
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We know that clear communication is imperative to understanding and important to our interactions between ourselves and those who are in our presence. To be able to support one another we remind each other to listen and show empathy for better connections.
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Our passion is driven by the determination and discipline we have practiced and gained through our lived experiences and professional development. This becomes our motivation to commit and continue to share knowledge, stories and culture.
Creative Pillars —
This pillar is committed to promoting creative writing, poetry, and other various forms of literary expression. Through the publication and co-editing of our zines, collaborative contributions to journal articles and books, and the production of other DIY publications, we aim to craft a distinctive platform.
Our primary objective is to empower emerging writers, artists and community members by enabling them to share their unique perspectives with a broader audience. At its core, this pillar is dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment where diverse voices are not only heard but celebrated. Part of our overarching mission is to cultivate a vibrant space where creativity and self-expression flourish.
THE COLOURING BOOK
This pillar is committed to how we nurture and produce visual art such as films, digital art and photography through the development of events, programs, and partnerships. We want to elevate and curate a platform where both emerging and established artists can showcase their work and connect with fellow creatives. We aim to collaborate with industry experts to enhance the quality of our creative outputs and open up new opportunities for showcasing our artistry. Our main focus revolves around inclusivity, innovation, and experimentation, as we strive to foster a collaborative community where artists and creatives of colour collaborate and thrive together.
COLOUR GRADE
This pillar is all about bringing people closer together through cultural experiences and engaging activities. We believe that by sharing these experiences, we can build a stronger sense of community and connection among everyone. Designed to evoke a profound sense of exploration and discovery, offering a unique and exciting perspective that ignites curiosity about culture. We want to embed cultural roots and traditions that serve as the bedrock of the creative arts. By doing so, we not only pay homage to the traditions that have shaped our creative landscape but also invite our audience on an enriching journey. Through these endeavors, we aspire to create not just events but genuine moments that bring people closer together.
