About – Warri Arts Festival International (WAFI)

Brief overview of the WAFI festival

The Warri Arts Festival International (WAFI) is a dynamic cultural and creative festival that celebrates the rich heritage, talents, and diversity of Warri. It serves as a vibrant platform for artists, performers, creatives, and entrepreneurs to showcase their works, promote unity, and drive youth empowerment through arts, culture, and tourism. The festival fosters creativity, dialogue, and community development while positioning Warri as a leading hub for creative expression and cultural exchange.

About Us

Our Story

The Warri Arts Festival International was established to celebrate and promote the rich cultural heritage and artistic expression of the Warri region and beyond. Initially launched in 2019, the festival has grown exponentially from a small local gathering to a prominent international event that attracts artists, performers, and audiences from around the nation. Its inception was driven by the need to showcase and promote local talents, foster cultural exchange, and create a platform for dialogue among creators of various artistic disciplines. Over the years, the festival has featured diverse programs, including visual arts exhibitions, music and dance, stage plays, drum expo , fashion, film, tourist promotion, traditional performances, workshops, and cultural parades, helping to revitalize interest in the arts and enhance the community’s cultural identity.

Our Vision

To become Niger Delta’s foremost creative Arts, cultural, tourism and tech innovative festival that unites people, celebrates heritage, and inspires innovation through the transformative power of arts, culture, and tourism in Warri and beyond.

Our Mission

To provide a vibrant platform that nurtures creativity, promotes cultural diversity, empowers talents, and drives socio-economic development by showcasing the richness of performing, visual, and digital arts while fostering unity and shared identity.

Creativity:

We celebrate originality, innovation, and artistic excellence as tools for storytelling, social reflection, and cultural advancement.

Diversity:

We embrace the richness of different cultures, languages, artistic styles, and perspectives, creating an inclusive platform where every voice and heritage is respected and represented.

Empowerment:

We are committed to empowering artists, youths, and creative entrepreneurs with opportunities, exposure, mentorship, and platforms that transform talent into sustainable livelihood.

Unity & Collaboration

We believe in the strength of working together — bridging communities, disciplines, and generations to build a collective cultural future.

Community Development

We use arts and culture as instruments for education, social cohesion, tourism growth, and long-term community transformation.

Why Arts Festival?

The creative and performing arts has manifested itself world over as an efficient form of communication, expressing opinions, airing issues and sharing values about all aspects of life that affect humanity. We are convinced that art as a form of communication, expression, reflection, innovation and creativity is a key motor for social change. Our festival aims at creating an avenue where people of different art forms in the creative and performing arts can come together and speak in the language of the Arts.

Board/Team Members

Warri Arts Festival International (WAFI)

1. Festival Director / Founder

Provides overall vision, leadership, and strategic direction for the festival.

2. Artistic Director

Curates creative content, performances, exhibitions, and cultural showcases.

3. Project Manager

Coordinates planning, timelines, logistics, and execution of all festival activities.

4. Program Coordinator

Manages schedules, event lineup, and engagement of artists and performers.

5. Partnerships & Sponsorship Lead

Handles corporate partnerships, sponsorship acquisition, and stakeholder relations.

6. Media & Communications Manager

Oversees publicity, press relations, digital marketing, and media coverage.

7. Creative Director

Supervises branding, stage design, visual identity, and artistic presentation.

8. Technical & Production Manager

Manages stage, sound, lighting, and all technical production requirements.

9. Finance & Administration Officer

Handles budgeting, accounts, documentation, and administrative coordination.

10. Community & Cultural Liaison Officer

Engages local communities, cultural groups, and traditional institutions.

11. Volunteer Coordinator

Recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers and support teams.

12. Security & Protocol Coordinator

Ensures safety, crowd control, and proper protocol for guests and dignitaries.

13. Tourism & Hospitality Coordinator

Manages guest experience, accommodation, and tourism-related activities.

14. Vendors & Exhibition Coordinator

Organizes market spaces, creative exhibitions, and vendor participation.

15. Children/teen/Youth & Talent Development Coordinator

Leads talent discovery, mentorship sessions, and youth empowerment initiatives.

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