For Immediate Release
Kaduna, Nigeria - 10 August 2026
Open Arts Development Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Salma Ja'eh as its new Artistic and Managing Director. Her appointment comes at a time of significant organisational growth, following the expansion of Open Arts' publishing programme, artist residencies, cultural exchanges and the sixth edition of the Hausa International Book and Arts Festival (HIBAF).
Salma Ja'eh, Artistic and Managing Director, Open Arts Development Foundation
Founded in 2018, Open Arts Development Foundation is a cultural organisation committed to democratising access to the arts and cultural participation in Northern Nigeria. Through festivals, publishing, residencies, workshops and community programmes, the organisation has supported hundreds of artists and reached thousands of participants across Nigeria and beyond.
A cultural manager, photographer, and communications strategist, Salma brings extensive experience in arts programming, community engagement, cultural advocacy, and strategic communications. She has played a pivotal role in the organisation's growth, most notably by leading communications and programming for the Hausa International Book and Arts Festival (HIBAF), one of West Africa's leading indigenous-language arts festivals.
As Artistic and Managing Director, Salma will oversee the organisation's artistic vision and strategic direction, building on Open Arts' commitment to democratising access to the arts, supporting emerging creatives, and creating transformative spaces for learning, storytelling, and cultural participation.
“Salma has been central to the growth and evolution of Open Arts over the past several years. She combines creativity with thoughtful leadership and has earned the trust of our artists, partners, and community. The Board is confident that under her leadership, Open Arts will continue to grow as a platform that nurtures artistic excellence, expands cultural participation, and strengthens creative ecosystems across Nigeria and beyond.”
Suleiman Usman Yusuf, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
“I am deeply honoured to step into this role at a time when the arts are increasingly recognised as powerful tools for community building and social transformation. Open Arts has always believed that everyone deserves access to creative expression and cultural participation. I look forward to working with our community, partners, and artists to deepen our impact and create new opportunities for collaboration, learning and exchange.”
Salma Ja'eh, Artistic and Managing Director
Throughout her career, Salma has led and contributed to initiatives spanning cultural exchange and community-based programming. Her work includes coordinating international collaborations, supporting women writers and artists, facilitating literary translation projects, and advancing cultural initiatives centred on inclusion and representation.
Under her leadership, Open Arts will build on recent momentum across literature, publishing, residencies, visual arts and community engagement while deepening its commitment to artists and cultural participation.
About Open Arts Development Foundation
Open Arts Development Foundation is a Nigerian non-profit cultural organisation dedicated to expanding access to the arts through literature, publishing, festivals, artist residencies, education, and community-based creative programmes. Since 2018, the organisation has championed artistic innovation, supported emerging creatives, and created inclusive spaces for storytelling, cultural exchange, and creative expression. Open Arts is the curator of the Hausa International Book and Arts Festival (HIBAF), one of West Africa's leading indigenous-language arts festivals.