Nils Ström is a Swedish cultural entrepreneur and project manager, based in Kigali. He holds a Bachelor in Music Performance and a Masters degree in Media and Communication which he has combined with studies in intercultural communication, cultural management and urban development. A few years spent in Australia, Morocco and Tanzania have led him to pursue work for cultural organisations Academia Arabesca and Nafasi Art Space. Additionally, Nils initiated the public art project Kvinnan i rummet, which sought to shed light on the misrepresentation of women within public spaces in the city of Stockholm. With music as the leitmotif of his professional life, Nils’ approach makes evident his devotion to arts and his strong belief in their ability as powerful social and economic tools that can unlock human potential and transform relationships.

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"In a time where segregation dictates the lives of millions of people worldwide and disinformation is more effective than scientific facts, intercultural exchange and the creation of new knowledge-orientated fora is of great importance to promote consolidation and understanding. Music and arts are effective, intriguing and powerful in their ability to communicate this message"  - Nils

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After relocating to Kigali, Rwanda in 2022, Nils initiated the cultural project Platform Rwanda, after it was awarded the 2022 Leapfrogs Grant in Sweden. The project aims to strengthen knowledge and capacity around music production, promote female representation within the music industry, and contribute to the local infrastructure for production and distribution of music. Platform Rwanda is set out to fit into the existing network of creative enterprises in Rwanda and play into regional synergies. This way being part of shaping and solidifying the ecosystem for East African music production and enhancing opportunities for artists to grow their audiences.

 

Read more about Platform Rwanda here