Art in the Garden City
Reimagining the Garden City through the creative economy.
Film, theatre, exhibitions, tours, literature and cultural experiences across Port Harcourt.
See upcoming events
Art in the Garden City
Film, theatre, exhibitions, tours, literature and cultural experiences across Port Harcourt.
See upcoming events
Port Harcourt was once called the Garden City, and it earned the name. Green spaces threaded through the city, and life here moved in easy conversation with nature. Much of that has faded: public spaces have shrunk, and urban planning hasn't always kept up with the city's growth. Art in the Garden City began as a response to that loss: a creative call to action that uses art as a vehicle for social impact, cultural preservation, and environmental responsibility.
What started as an exhibition has grown into a multidisciplinary arts and cultural platform. Today our programming spans film screenings, theatre performances, literary evenings, live music, exhibitions, workshops, fireside chats, and immersive VR and AR experiences, most of it hosted at Alliance Française Port Harcourt, our home for regular programming, alongside spaces like Delaroke Art Gallery.
Creativity is not just expression. It is how a city preserves its identity, how communities find their voice, and how a creative economy grows.
Our flagship film programme, DocuScreen Nigeria, is a monthly documentary screening series that brings thought-provoking films from Nigeria, Africa, and beyond to Port Harcourt audiences, followed by the kind of conversations that continue long after the credits roll. It runs with the support of partners including StoryMi Academy, Sima Studios, and the French Embassy in Nigeria, and sits alongside collaborations with African Cinema Classics and the Visions Film Society, which brings Global South cinema to Nigerian audiences.
Everything we do is built around a simple idea: creativity is not just expression. It is how a city preserves its identity, how communities find their voice, and how a creative economy grows. Rivers State is home to rich and diverse cultures: Kalabari, Ogoni, Etche, Ikwerre, and many others, and our programming brings their stories to the forefront through artistic expression, from heritage installations to hand-woven Akwete demonstrations.
Port Harcourt hasn't traditionally been seen as a hub for artists, but that narrative is changing, and we're proud to be part of the shift. Organisations like NLNG and TotalEnergies, galleries like Delaroke and Moriri, and popup spaces like Marley & Blue have all been supporting the creative sector here. We joined that conversation deliberately: supporting artists has been one of the pillars of Art in the Garden City Limited (RC 8829115) since its inception, well over a decade ago.
More than anything, our events are gatherings. People come for the film, the play, or the exhibition, and stay for the conversations and the community. If that sounds like your kind of evening, join our mailing list or our WhatsApp channel, and come find us at the next one.
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