Aisha Dème

Aisha Dème is a key figure in the African cultural landscape and an independent curator. Her work is driven by a commitment to showcasing the continent’s art scenes and building bridges between artists, institutions, and audiences, both in Africa and beyond.

In 2024, she conceived and curated the Dakar, Nid d’Artistes exhibition, presented at the Dakar Biennale, highlighting the diversity and vibrancy of contemporary creativity in Dakar. This exhibition builds on her longstanding engagement with the Biennale, following her participation in the 2016 and 2018 Off editions, solidifying her role in promoting both emerging and established artists from Senegal and across Africa.

Through SIRIWORO, the organization she founded, she supports artists and cultural initiatives in their development and visibility. Her expertise has led her to collaborate with leading institutions and organizations such as UNESCO, the Dakar Biennale, the European Union, Oxfam, Mati Diop, The New York Times, and Le Monde Afrique.

As the author of Dakar, Nid d’Artistes (Éditions Malika, 2022), a Le Monde Afrique Coup de Cœur selection, Aïsha Dème documents and celebrates the artistic vibrancy of Senegal’s capital. Her commitment to the creative and cultural industries is further reflected in her role as co-founder and first chair of the board of the Music In Africa Foundation, the largest pan-African organization dedicated to the music industry. Aïsha Dème regularly speaks as a lecturer and consultant on topics related to the creative industries, cultural entrepreneurship, and the impact of cultural policies on economic and social development.