TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH ARTS EDUCATION
The arts transcend boundaries, connect cultures, and foster understanding.
Our programs demonstrate how the arts can be utilized in community spaces
to improve social and educational outcomes.
1500+
Annual Program Participants
19
Teaching Artists
14
Local Partner Organizations
5
Years of
Impact
Mission
Our mission is to unlock the transformative power of arts education, equipping individuals with essential life skills and fostering personal growth. Through a vibrant and inclusive artistic community in Gaborone, Botswana, we inspire creativity, cultivate talent, and expand access to the arts—both locally and beyond.
At Creative Borders, we are dedicated to promoting creativity and self-expression by offering accessible and diverse artistic opportunities for individuals of all ages. We emphasize the intersection of the arts and personal development, nurturing critical skills such as leadership, collaboration, and determination.
Our goal is to inspire a lifelong love of the arts by equipping individuals with the tools to explore and develop their unique talents. Through educational programs and community initiatives supported by local artists, we strive to break down barriers to participation and empower individuals to unlock their full potential.
We create safe spaces where everyone—regardless of age, background, or ability—can find their voice, express their creativity, and embark on a lifelong journey of self-discovery. By harnessing the transformative power of arts education, we envision a world where individuals are enriched by the arts and equipped with essential life skills that lead to personal success and positively impact the community.
📍
Real-Life Impact
Our commitment to arts education has yielded transformative results in Gaborone, Botswana. Our programs empower individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to discover their creative potential, fostering personal growth and community enrichment.
Individual Empowerment
Life Skills Development
Community Partnerships
Cultural Enrichment
Access to Arts Education
Positive Social Change
Local Community Partners
Since 2016, Creative Borders has built an extensive network of community partners, empowering us to impact over 1,500 individuals annually in Gaborone. Our efforts span a wide range, including local primary and high schools, universities, and organizations that align with our mission.
Central to our initiatives is the commitment to maximizing our outreach by leveraging and guiding the local resources of our partner organizations. Whenever we conduct a workshop at one school, our dedicated approach ensures that we actively seek opportunities to extend these valuable experiences to other institutions, amplifying the reach and impact of our programs.
Our current partners include the Maru-a-Pula School, Ambrose Academy, Botswana Teen Club, SOS Village, Mebala Youth Studios, Moselewapula, Northside Primary School, and Thornhill Primary School. Over the years, Creative Borders has experienced significant growth in its impact, establishing safe spaces that cater to people of all ages. Our initiatives play a crucial role in bridging essential connections and resources within Gaborone, contributing to the overall well-being and development of its residents.
Are you a Botswana organization interested in this program?
.png)
.png)
.png){kind=logo}
Moselewapula
"What's next for Creative Borders?"
2025 Program
The 2025 Creative Borders Program in Gaborone, Botswana, marks the fifth year of Creative Borders’ impactful arts initiatives. Over the course of two weeks in February, four Teaching Artists from the U.S., Zimbabwe, and South Africa will lead daily movement, dance, and theater workshops at Maru-a-Pula School and Ambrose Academy. The program will engage students in creative expression and foster a love for the arts and storytelling.
Creative Borders has partnered with Arts Ignite, another U.S.-based nonprofit arts education organization, to foster cross-cultural collaboration and innovation through the arts. This year, we are launching the Teaching Artist Fellowship Program to empower local artists and support the next generation of arts educators in Gaborone, ensuring the long-term growth and sustainability of arts education in the region.
Through this program, Teaching Artists will impart their expertise to students and contribute to the development of local teaching artists, ensuring the continued growth of arts education in Botswana. The program emphasizes cross-cultural collaboration, community building, and the nurturing of artistic potential for both students and educators alike.
2025
TEAM
In partnership with
Taylor Symone Jackson
Taylor is an Arts Ignite Teaching Artist trained in various styles of dance from the Atlanta Ballet and acting at The Freeman Studio. She is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and now lives in New York. She has been teaching for over ten years, starting at youth dance camps teaching jazz, tap, and ballet, and brings great enthusiasm and skill to every classroom!
Taylor's regional credits include Ain't Too Proud (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), The Wiz (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), and Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery (Spelman College). Her New York credits include Ain't Too Proud (Broadway), Becoming David (Playwrights Horizons) and Viva Las Vegas (AMDA). Her TV credits include My Parents, My Sister & Me; The Game; and Born to Dance.
Chavon Hampton
Chavon Hampton is an Arts Ignite Teaching Artist who is a professional triple threat. She is an AMDA NYC graduate and has made a career out of doing what she loves. She’s traveled nationally and globally with her profession. Her career started off on the stage touring Broadway shows and national theatres. A few of her credentials include; Violet U/S (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), Little Inez (Hairspray), Lisa (Mamma Mia), Starlight Jones (iLuminate), Dream Girls and many more.
Along with her successful stage career, Chavon has made a name for herself in the TV/Film industry as well. You may spot her in some commercials such as: Mohegan Sun, Red Apple Ale, Victoria’s Secret. Chavon has now crossed over into film; she starred in 5 films in just the past year, which will all be released this year.
Thembile Tshuma
Thembile Tshuma is an Arts Ignite Teaching Artist and Applied Drama & Theatre practitioner. Thembile is also the associate artistic director for Arts Ignite’s artsINSIDEOUT, an arts based programme at Nkosi's Haven, a home for mothers and children with HIV/AIDS. He is also a percussionist, TV & stage actor, writer, puppeteer, dancer, choreographer, musician, Theatre Director, Cultural Leadership Mentor and Arts Administrator. Thembile is ASSITEJ SOUTH AFRICA’s Gauteng Theatre4Youth Provincial Coordinator where his main role is to close the gap between theatre and education in the province!
His artistic background starts all the way from 1997, and has been involved with a number of Theatre Companies across the SADC region and beyond. Some of the companies he has worked with include Theatre for Development Initiative (ZIM), Amakhosi Theatre (Zim), Ghetto Waves Productions (BOTS), Drama for Life Theatre company and Playback company (SA), Soweto Theatre (SA), Jo’burg Theatre (SA), Ubumwe Educational Project (UG) among others.
Brian Thabiso Nyoni
Brian Thabiso Nyoni is multifaceted professional with a diverse skill set in the performing arts industry. With training in acting, dancing, singing, scriptwriting, directing, and project management, he has honed my talents and expertise over the years. In 2005, He began his journey in community organization training, which sparked his passion for using the arts as a tool for positive change.
Throughout his career, he has successfully managed community development projects and facilitated the coordination of Arts Festivals, showcasing his ability to combine artistic excellence with community engagement and empowerment.
A theatre and a dance facilitator, he has worked in different projects both locally and internationally and recently was a Dance Facilitator for artsINSIDEOUT! at Nkosi's Haven.
WHY THE ARTS?
The arts evoke emotions, challenge perspectives, and create change. They are how communities tell stories and share their values and perspectives on the world, as well as insights into complex issues. The lack of opportunities in the arts is not just a problem today but a persistent and enduring injustice that will have intergenerational impacts. Who tells people's stories today will determine what they know of their history and culture for centuries to come.
Student Testimonials
"Creative Borders helped me regain confidence. It became a safe space to be myself again and not worry about what others think of me, and I will carry this experience for the rest of my life.”
“Creative Borders taught me about the freedom of expression, knowing that I have it in me to move and share my light with others.”
“Creative Borders taught me about the process. It wasn’t about being perfect but being in touch with ourselves, making everything worthwhile, and making bold choices.”
“It was the best time I have ever had.”
“Every day, I looked forward to the workshop because I knew we were going to do something that's out of the box, that's going to expand and challenge our creative minds, and having to do that as a group made it more fun.”
“It was a beautiful exchange, learning from the team. I am truly grateful to have been part of it.”
“Thank you for taking your time and visiting us. You will inspire lots of people just like you inspired us!”
“It was a collective safe space that allowed me to rediscover myself.”
“Thanks for the lesson. It really opened my eyes!”
“I am really grateful that I got to share an amazing experience.”
“It opened my mind to a lot more than just moving my body to music aimlessly but the emotion and intention behind it.”
“It helped me build my confidence, make connections, and discover new ways to create.”
“The way you communicated with the students, made everybody feel welcomed, and motivated and encouraged others in the group was all just beautiful.”
“I enjoyed the expertise, skills, professionalism, energy, and joy you brought to our schools. I enjoyed listening to our students' feedback, saying it was the best day of their life, enjoying the workshops, their smiles, and their engagement.”