A Visit to Ecole D’Arts De Nyundo

If you are driving along the NR2 highway between Musanze and Gisenyi, keep an eye out for Ecole D’Arts De Nyundo. This art school is an incredibly easy and rewarding stop that offers a glimpse into the future of Rwanda’s creative scene.

Founded in 1956, this school currently hosts 260 students between the ages of 15 and 21, around 60 of which are women. It is a fantastic institution where creativity meets a formal education; alongside their intensive art classes, students still tackle all basics like English, math, and chemistry.

I first heard about the school through Seleman of Selekart who posted about where he went to school on Insta. He reached out to the director on my behalf to let them know I was coming when my friend Ursula and I were passing by on our way to Ginseye.

If you’re interested in art galleries in Kigali, read more about how you can visit them.

Planning Your Visit

The school is quite used to visitors, so I suggest simply driving by and stopping in. I visited on a weekend at 10:00 am and had a wonderful experience. Brother Ngizwenimana Faustin and teacher Turamya Didas, who shared the history of the campus with us.

Exploring the Campus

I loved how colorful and lively the buildings were; the walls themselves are a canvas. One of my favorite traditions here is that at the end of every school year, the graduating students leave their permanent mark on the school by creating a unique graffiti piece. We got to see some of this happen.

During our tour, we walked through various spaces for the students.

The Painting Room: We saw stunning student pieces on display.

The Pottery Room: We caught a glimpse of sculptures in the middle of the drying process.

The Woodworking Shop: This was particularly active during our visit, as we watched students honing their craft with timber.

The Student Shop

Before you leave, make sure to stop by the onsite shop. It is a great way to support the next generation of Rwandan artists while picking up something unique for your home. I walked away with a tiny, handcrafted mask, and my friend found a beautiful wooden bird tray.

Whether you are an art lover or just looking for an inspiring break during your road trip, a stop at Ecole D’Arts De Nyundo is worth it!