Where Scholarship Transforms Understanding
Advancing Knowledge. Shaping Futures. Centering Africa.
The Institute of African Studies and Arts (TIASA) stands as the world's leading research center dedicated exclusively to African art, culture, and intellectual traditions. Housed within MoMCAAL, TIASA represents our commitment to rigorous scholarship, transformative education, and the advancement of African knowledge systems on the global stage.
In an era of cultural interconnection and evolving narratives, TIASA deepens understanding of African contributions to human civilization through critical research, dynamic programming, and powerful artistic expression. We don't just study Africa—we position African voices, ideas, and innovations at the center of global discourse.
Our Mission
To advance knowledge of African art, history, and culture through rigorous research, transformative education, and meaningful cultural exchange—positioning African knowledge systems at the forefront of global academic discourse.
We fulfill this mission through:
Groundbreaking Research
Producing scholarship that reshapes narratives, challenges colonial legacies, and positions African intellectual traditions as essential to understanding human creativity and cultural expression.
Cultural Exchange
Creating dynamic spaces where diverse communities engage with African heritage through exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and digital platforms that bring Africa's rich legacy to life.
Academic Excellence
Supporting scholars, artists, and researchers through prestigious fellowships, residencies, and programs that foster breakthrough thinking and innovative cultural production.
Amplifying African Voices
Ensuring African scholars, artists, and thinkers lead conversations about African culture—repositioning the continent not as a subject to be studied from afar, but as an active contributor to global knowledge.
Our Vision
To be the world's preeminent center for African studies—where tradition meets innovation, where Africa speaks for itself, and where the next generation of scholars reimagines the continent's place in global culture.
We envision a future where:
African scholarship is universally recognized as essential to understanding art history, cultural theory, and global intellectual movements
Young African scholars have clear pathways to academic careers, research funding, and international recognition
Universities worldwide offer comprehensive African studies programs with the same depth and prestige as European or American studie
Cross-cultural dialogue flourishes based on mutual respect, challenging stereotypes and building understanding between Africa and the world
Future generations inherit comprehensive records of African cultural achievement, preserved and accessible for scholarly inquiry
Why London?
London's selection as MoMCAAL's home was both strategic and symbolic. As one of the world's most diverse, cosmopolitan cities, London offers:
-
Thriving African Diaspora – Over 1 million people of African descent call London home
-
Global Cultural Influence – Visibility and access to international audiences, collectors, and institutions
-
Rich Museum Landscape – An ecosystem of world-class institutions that elevates all cultural offerings
-
Historical Connections – Opportunities for meaningful dialogue and new narratives
-
International Accessibility – A major hub welcoming visitors from across the globe
Building the Collection
From our inception, we committed to building the finest collection of modern and contemporary African art in the world. This required:
-
Exceptional Curatorial Vision – Identifying masterworks representing the full spectrum of African creativity
-
Strategic Acquisitions – Securing works of highest artistic merit through auctions, private sales, and commissions
-
Geographic Breadth – Ensuring representation from all regions: North, South, East, West, and Central Africa
-
Historical Depth – Documenting 120 years from early modernist pioneers to today's global stars
-
Medium Diversity – Collecting across painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, installation, and new media
What We Do:
Our Program Areas
TIASA is more than an academic institute—it's a living space for ideas, creativity, and discovery. Our programs span research, education, artistic practice, and public engagement.
Research & Publications
We produce groundbreaking scholarship that advances understanding of African art, culture, and intellectual traditions. Our research challenges colonial narratives, recovers marginalized histories, and positions African contributions as central to global cultural development.
Research Focus Areas:
-
African modernism and its influence on global art movements
-
Contemporary African art and diaspora cultural production
-
Exhibition histories and curatorial practices in African contexts
-
Traditional knowledge systems and their contemporary relevance
-
African art markets, collecting practices, and institutional development
-
Oral histories with artists, collectors, and cultural leaders
Publications:
-
TIASA Journal: Annual peer-reviewed publication featuring cutting-edge scholarship
-
Research Papers Series: Focused studies on specific topics, artists, or movements
-
Exhibition Catalogues: Comprehensive documentation of MoMCAAL exhibitions
-
Digital Archives: Online access to research, oral histories, and rare documents
-
Monographs & Books: In-depth studies published with academic presses
Global Partnerships & Collaborations
TIASA maintains strategic partnerships with leading institutions worldwide, facilitating knowledge exchange, collaborative research, and international dialogue about African culture and heritage.
Partner Institutions:
-
Universities across Africa, Europe, North America, and beyond
-
Major museums and cultural institutions worldwide
-
African national museums and heritage organizations
-
Cultural policy organizations and think tanks
-
International arts foundations and funding bodies
Why TIASA Matters
At a time when narratives about Africa remain limited or misunderstood, TIASA offers a powerful counterpoint: an informed, inspired, and empowering space rooted in authenticity and driven by intellectual rigor. We matter because:
We Challenge Narratives
For too long, African culture has been interpreted through external lenses. TIASA ensures African voices lead conversations about African heritage, producing scholarship that challenges colonial legacies and repositions Africa at the center of global cultural discourse.
We Create Pathways
Young African scholars face barriers to academic careers—limited funding, fewer opportunities, institutional biases. TIASA provides prestigious fellowships, mentorship, and platforms that launch careers and ensure the next generation of African intellectuals thrives.
We Build Bridges
Understanding between Africa and the world requires more than goodwill—it demands rigorous scholarship, meaningful dialogue, and genuine cultural exchange. TIASA creates spaces where these connections flourish, building understanding rooted in knowledge and mutual respect.
We Preserve Knowledge
Cultural heritage can be lost without proper documentation, preservation, and study. Through our research, archives, and publications, TIASA ensures African cultural achievement is comprehensively recorded for future generations.
We Inspire Action
By making scholarship accessible through public programs, exhibitions, and digital platforms, we inspire curiosity, foster pride, and motivate engagement with African culture—transforming how people see Africa and its contributions to humanity.
Get Involved
TIASA welcomes participation from scholars, students, artists, educators, and anyone passionate about African culture. Whether you're pursuing research, seeking knowledge, or simply curious, there's a place for you here.
TIASA: Where Tradition Meets Innovation
Where Africa Speaks for Itself