Arts Collaboratory

ArtBakery is an artist's initiative situated in the village of Bonendale, near Douala, Cameroon. It is founded in 2002 by Goddy Leye, with an aim to develop and promote contemporary art - with a special focus on multimedia – and practices in Cameroon and central Africa at large; and to improve the chances of local artists and their production of contemporary art through interaction and exchange with more experienced colleagues within Cameroon and abroad. It offers trainings for emerging artists (Master Class) a series of seminars, workshops, talks and conferences. Art Daily is a training programme for journalists and writers on the topics of art history and art criticism. Portfolio program is a mini-residency project for young local artists that focuses on professional approach to a presentation of a work/portfolio, enabling inclusion in the international art world.

Bakery is a small production unit that provides artists with technical assistance, advice and follow-up in their media-arts related projects. Nursery is a program that connects artists with the education: introducing artists in local schools and bringing students from local schools into art studios.

In February 2011 Goody Leye unexpectedly died of a malaria and typhoid fever. The organization is now struggling to recover and continue and move forward the work of Goody Leye. His collaborator and friend Bill Kouelany replaced him as an artistic director and the legal heir and administrator Estella Mbuli, together with the members and the (International) Board of Advisors are organizing a meeting on a reflection on a way forward.