About Us —

Established in 2018, Next In Colour originated from the collaborative efforts of six African community arts practitioners under the initiative known as 'Colouring Between the Lines.' Today, this pioneering entity is led by co-founders Geskeva Komba and Ruth Nyaruot Ruach, and has since evolved into a contemporary community arts organisation dedicated to sharing the transformative power of arts and creativity to empower and drive change.

Next In Colour work across the creative industries, academia and community engagement connecting the community with opportunities and leading co-designed workshops and events.

“Why Next In Colour?

Because the next generation, the next great Australian piece of art, the next great exhibition, the next great production is going to be intercultural.

「It’s going to be in colour!」”

Executive Team —   

     Geskeva Komba     

Co-Founder
Executive Director

Geskeva Komba is a trans-disciplinary creative of Comorian and Tanzanian heritage.

Raised in the Western suburbs of Melbourne she has experience combined in community development, theatre, film, spoken word, as well as music.

Geskeva continues to work in spaces that combine critical thinking, art and community.

Ruth Nyaruot Ruach

Co-Founder
Executive Director

Ruth Nyaruot Ruach is a South-Sudanese multidisciplinary artist, who uses art to heal, explore her surroundings and create comfort within her blackness.

Ruth's art explores the experiences of being an African of the diaspora although she is strongly influenced by, decolonising language, tone and the cultivation of shared perspectives in place of assimilation.

“Birds sing not because they have answers but because they have songs”

~ African Proverb

Our Values —            

  • We believe that fairness and honesty is important to building transparency for reciprocal respect amongst ourselves, community, partners and peers. Taking accountability in delivering authenticity to our work that upholds personal and community integrity.

  • We strive to centre self-care, in its various forms to build ongoing solidarity and awareness of how we can grow and reach our full potential. Allowing a willingness to learn but also looking after individual and collective wellbeing as a whole.

  • We know that clear communication is imperative to understanding and important to our interactions between ourselves and those who are in our presence. To be able to support one another we remind each other to listen and show empathy for better connections.

  • Our passion is driven by the determination and discipline we have practiced and gained through our lived experiences and professional development. This becomes our motivation to commit and continue to share knowledge, stories and culture.