We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tamara Varney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tamara below.
Tamara, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
NAMBA’s mission is meaningful to me because it’s rooted in inclusion, creativity, and connection. In a world that often feels divided, NAMBA offers a space where people from all walks of life can come together—not just to witness performance, but to be part of it.
It matters to me that NAMBA intentionally lifts up voices that have been historically marginalized. That it provides platforms for emerging and underrepresented artists to tell their stories and be paid fairly for their work. That it doesn’t just open its doors to the community—it actively listens, adapts, and invites community in.
Art has the power to build empathy, spark dialogue, and create joy—and NAMBA makes that power accessible. Whether it’s a child seeing themselves represented on stage for the first time, or an elder rediscovering live performance after years away, NAMBA fosters moments that matter.
In a culture that often undervalues the arts, NAMBA reminds me that performance is not a luxury—it’s a vital part of being human. And I believe in supporting a space that makes performing possible for all.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
NAMBA was born out of a desire to create a space where artists of all backgrounds could feel welcomed, supported, and celebrated. Founded by a team of creatives, educators, and community builders, we saw a need for a venue that nurtured and presented diverse artistic works. With a focus on culture, and collaboration, we’ve grown into a space where emerging and seasoned voices share the stage, side by side.
NAMBA hosts a wide range of performing arts programming including but not limited to:
Original theatre and dance performances;
International music concerts
Youth and adult dance, theater and music workshops
Theatrical events like the Splash Theatre Festival
Affordable rehearsal and teaching space for local artists and independent educators
We serve as a launchpad for local creators, a home for underrepresented voices, and a gathering place for anyone who believes in the power of the arts to make change.
We’re not just a venue—we’re a mission-driven community hub. We prioritize equity by offering sliding-scale ticket pricing, paying our artists fairly, and intentionally showcasing work by BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and emerging performers. We actively listen to our audiences and community partners to ensure our programming stays relevant and responsive to our community’s needs and standards.
We’re proud to be a space where people feel seen, heard, and valued—whether they’re on stage, backstage, or in the audience. And we’re proud that, together, we’re building something that reflects the richness and diversity of Ventura and beyond.
We invite you to join us—because performing is part of being human.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
A Story of Resilience: Rising Through Closure
Like many arts organizations, NAMBA faced immense uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic. For 18 months, the stage went dark and the very thing that defined us—bringing people together—suddenly became impossible. As a small nonprofit with limited reserves, we weren’t sure we’d survive. Our Founder Julia Campbell-Namba made it clear that the rent would be paid, and that commitment gave us a powerful infusion of hope and gratitude.
With no live performances, we launched virtual classes. Now, I’m a hairstylist by trade and I joke I graduated high school with an English Major. I was out of work as a stylist as well. The covid silver lining was, I had time to learn how to write grants. When I won those grants, we made sensible theater upgrades, the build it they will come attitude. We reset our management too so when we reopened, we returned not as we were—but stronger, more intentional, and more connected to our mission.
Resilience isn’t just about surviving. It’s about evolving. At NAMBA, every challenge has made us clearer about our purpose: to be a space where performance thrives, for the whole community.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
NAMBA didn’t begin as a business plan—it started as a passion project.
Our founders were artists, educators, and dancers who wanted a space in Ventura where performance and creativity could truly thrive. For me, it was a “side hustle” in the truest sense: a labor of love squeezed between day jobs, rehearsals, and late-night brainstorms. We had a vision—a small, inclusive venue where all voices could be heard—but we weren’t sure how or when it would come to life.
What began with small, one-off performances and shared rehearsal space slowly grew. More and more artists came to us looking for a place to experiment, teach, and connect. We hosted storytelling nights, experimental theatre, music from around the world, and youth workshops that filled the room with laughter and joy.
As word spread, so did our impact—and so did our responsibilities. NAMBA shifted from a creative side hustle into a nonprofit organization, with a clear mission: to create an inclusive, accessible performing arts space that reflects the diversity of our community.
Key milestones included:
Securing our downtown Ventura venue and transforming it into an ADA-compliant space.
Launching original programming like the Splash Theatre Fest and International Music Series.
Receiving public and private grant support to grow our impact.
Weathering the pandemic with resilience—and emerging stronger through innovation and community backing.
Today, NAMBA is a full-time mission. What began as a side dream is now a community cornerstone, thanks to the collective energy of those who believed in the power of local art, equity, and shared space.
And we’re just getting started.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nambaarts.com
- Instagram: nambaarts
- Facebook: Namba Arts
- Youtube: Namba arts
Image Credits
Cathy Butter