Attraction
Gorée Island
Small car-free island off Dakar, inscribed by UNESCO in 1978 as a place of memory of the Atlantic slave trade, with museums, forts and colonial-era houses.
Village des Arts
Former builders' housing near the Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium turned into 52 artists' studios and a gallery, open to visitors every day.
At a glance
- Type
- Artists' village and gallery
- Area
- Yoff, Dakar, Senegal
Good to know
- 52 artists' studios
- Galerie Léopold Sédar Senghor
- Workshops
- Open daily
Why we recommend it
The Village des Arts is a community of working artists on the old airport road, about 500 metres from the Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium. Its 52 studios, spread over about four hectares, were originally built as housing for the Chinese workers who constructed the stadium. When they left in 1998, the Ministry of Culture handed the houses over to artists, both graduates of Dakar's École des Beaux-Arts and self-taught painters and sculptors.
Today the residents, from Senegal and abroad, are selected by the ministry and work here on permanent or temporary residencies. Disciplines include painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video and installation, and the artists run the village through their own association. Because occupants change, every visit is different, and the main pleasure is wandering between the studios, seeing work in progress and talking with the artists about what they make and how they started. Many works are for sale, so it is also one of the best places in Dakar to buy contemporary art directly from its makers.
At the centre is the Galerie Léopold Sédar Senghor, an exhibition space of about 300 square metres whose shows change roughly every month, mostly featuring artists from the village. The village also runs workshops in sculpture, ceramics and the Senegalese technique of reverse glass painting, and receives school groups. The grounds are green and quiet, a calm contrast to the traffic outside.
According to the local guide Au Sénégal, the village is open to the public every day of the year. Studios are artists' workspaces rather than shops, so knock or ask before entering, and do not feel obliged to buy. Allow an hour or two, more if you join a workshop. It suits art lovers, families with curious children and anyone looking for original souvenirs; if you are buying a larger piece, ask about packing and shipping.
The village sits on the Route de l'Aéroport between central Dakar and Yoff, and is easily reached by taxi; mention the stadium if the driver does not know it. It combines well with an afternoon on the western side of the city, taking in the African Renaissance Monument and the Phare des Mamelles, or with a trip to the beaches at Yoff and Ngor.
Village des Arts FAQs
What is the Village des Arts?
A community of 52 artists' studios with a gallery on the Route de l'Aéroport in Dakar.
How did it start?
The studios were built as housing for workers on the nearby stadium and given to artists by the Ministry of Culture after 1998.
Is it open every day?
Au Sénégal lists it as open to the public every day of the year.
Can you buy art there?
Yes, many artists sell their work directly from their studios.
What is the Galerie Léopold Sédar Senghor?
The village's exhibition space of about 300 square metres, with shows that change roughly monthly.
Are there workshops?
Yes, including sculpture, ceramics and reverse glass painting.
How long should you allow?
An hour or two.
How do you get there?
By taxi along the Route de l'Aéroport; it is about 500 metres from the Léopold Sédar Senghor stadium.