Rebecca Mzengi Corey

Rebecca Yeong Ae Mzengi Corey is an arts practitioner based in New York City, New York, whose interdisciplinary work includes visual art, curation, filmmaking, and arts community and institution building as a creative practice. She has held top leadership roles at Nafasi Art Space, Sauti za Busara music festival, and the Tanzania Heritage Project, making significant contributions to the cultural landscape of East Africa where she lived and worked for more than a decade (2010-22). Her work is “love made visible” — specifically, an abiding love for creativity, community, and cultural equity. More than a job or a title, her efforts reveal a dedication to building inclusive, critical, and joyful spaces and ecosystems where art and creativity thrive.

Served as Executive and Artistic Director at the largest contemporary art institution in Tanzania, Nafasi Art Space, for 7 years, from 2016-2023, establishing an Academy for Contemporary Art and Curatorial Studies, an arts funding and incubation programme, and overseeing a vibrant programme of artist residencies, exhibitions, and public arts events. Prior to working at Nafasi Art Space, founded and directed the Tanzania Heritage Project to restore, revitalize, and preserve heritage music in Tanzania, and served as Director of Sauti za Busara music festival - the largest music festival in East Africa - in Stone Town, Zanzibar, during 2012-14.

Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in 2009, a recipient of the prestigious Foundation Fellowship award, Phi Beta Kappa, and Outstanding Student in the Humanities.

Studied International Development at the Master's Level at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania during 2009-10.