Winter School for African Artists’ Networks

The Arterial Network’s first Winter School to help build sustainable national and regional artists’ networks and advocacy groups in Africa will take place in Cape Town from 1-10 June 2009.

Funded by the European Union, the Winter School aims to have two representatives from ten African countries per year in an intensive training programme that will be an exciting combination of a seminar programme on contemporary issues such creative industries, culture and development and cultural diversity; practical workshops in fundraising, lobbying and the use of technology in the arts, and group work sessions devising cultural policy, programmes of action and membership benefits.
Representatives from artists’ networks and unions in Europe will be invited to the latter part of the winter school to establish partnerships with African artists’ networks that would encourage exchange and collaboration over a period of at least five years.

Participation in the Winter School will be fully funded for African delegates.
Applications to attend close on 10 March.

Applicants are to provide the following:
a. a letter of application detailing the name, contact details and website of the network/advocacy group/artists’ union and motivation to be part of the winter school
b. an outline of the history, activities and national membership of the organisation
c. the names and positions (within the organisation) of two individuals who would represent the organisation at the winter school
d. the names and contact details of two civil society referees based in their countries

Applicants may operate in a particular discipline e.g. theatre, visual art, music or be multi-disciplinary in nature. It is the aim of the Arterial Network to build strong women leadership in the African creative sector, and applicants are encouraged to nominate at least one woman participant.
Applications are to be sent to Margerie Vacle at margeriev@africacentre.net. Participants in the first winter school will be selected by the Task Team based on the strategic priorities of the Arterial Network and available funding.

Please if you know people who would be interested in this information, don't hesitate to forward this email to them or to send us their email address so that we can send them the info. Thanks a lot!