Overview: A new creative sanctuary in Uptown
Contributing writer Lizzy Nyoike profiles Uzoma Ngwu, founder and executive director of Zoma House, a multidisciplinary art studio, venue, and storefront in Minneapolis. Nyoike explores how Ngwu secured a city grant to establish a physical space dedicated to elevating Black, BIPOC, and underrepresented artists across the Twin Cities.
Credit: Lizzy Nyoike/MSR
The Nigerian-Igbo name Uzoma, which translates to “a beautiful way” or “a good path” in life, is where the origin of Zoma House comes from.
Founder Uzoma Ngwu took her own name, removed the letter U and turned its meaning into the identity of a space centered on creativity, community and forging new paths for artists in Minnesota.
The idea is now taking form through Zoma House, a community art studio, event venue and storefront in Minneapolis that brings together different creative disciplines under one roof. Since opening its doors earlier this year, the space has welcomed musicians, filmmakers, visual artists, DJs, culinary artists and other creatives looking for a place to share their work and connect with others.
Before Zoma House, Ngwu founded Zoma Studios, an animation and film studio. She said she was inspired by Black women in entertainment, like Ava DuVernay, Viola Davis and Issa Rae, who incorporated their names into the companies and creative spaces they’ve built.
“I feel like as Black women we’re not always seen within these media landscapes,” Ngwu said. “I kind of liked to have my stamp on this thing that I’m building as a Black woman.”
When it came time to expand beyond film and animation, Ngwu wanted to hold onto the Zoma name and what it represented.
A city-funded sanctuary for art
Zoma House became possible through the city of Minneapolis’ Vibrant Storefronts Program, a city-funded opportunity that supports the creative arts and culture community in Uptown and downtown Minneapolis and aims to make those areas more vibrant.
Through the program, the city covers Zoma House’s rent for two years. In exchange, the space is required to host at least one free or low-cost event each quarter.
Zoma House has hosted screenings, artist talks, live concerts, dining experiences and classes. The space is also available for people to rent for their own public and private events.
Ngwu said the multidisciplinary nature of the space has become one of her favorite parts of the business.
“I feel like almost every type of art is represented here in some way, shape or form,” she said.
Moving from digital to physical community
The idea for Zoma House grew from Ngwu’s desire to take her creative work to the next level.
Much of her filmmaking and digital art had been done remotely, allowing her to collaborate with artists around the world. Heading into 2025, she found herself craving something tangible and community-centered.
On her vision board, she wrote two goals: organize events and build community. Then she discovered the Vibrant Storefronts Grant.
“This is exactly what I’ve been looking for,” Ngwu said.
Initially, she created Zoma House as its own entity and onboarded a team of artists to help bring it to life. Unlike her film studio, which reaches a global audience, Zoma House allowed Ngwu to intentionally create the community around her.
“With Zoma House, I can be more intentional about curating work and appealing to an audience that’s right here in Minnesota,” she said.
Investing in the next generation of artists
While much of Zoma House’s first year has centered around events and experiences, she plans to further develop its storefront and retail offerings.
She said the goal is to curate and sell artwork created by local and global Black, BIPOC and other underrepresented artists.
Ngwu said she is excited for visitors to experience more artwork throughout the space and have opportunities to financially support the artists behind it.
While Zoma House is still relatively new since opening at the beginning of the year, Ngwu said she already feels the space has accomplished a lot.
“We’ve seen so many new faces, and I just hope people keep coming and keep experiencing the offerings we have here,” she said.
For more information about Zoma House or event bookings, visit zomahouse.com.
Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. She welcomes reader responses at lnyoike@spokesman-recorder.com.