Videos

Reflections on issues of gender equality and gender equity from women involved in the Cultural and Creative sector

Interview with Yvonne Chaka Chaka, a South African Singer/Songwriter and Owner of Chaka Chaka Music, for Women's Day

Reflections on issues of gender equality and gender equity from women involved in the Cultural and Creative sector

Interview with Professor Jen Snowball, the Chief Research Strategist at the SA Cultural Observatory, and Professor of Economics at Rhodes University

Reflections on issues of gender equality and gender equity from women involved in the Cultural and Creative sector

Interview with Unathi Lutshaba, Executive Director of the South African Cultural Observatory

The South African Festivals Economic Impact Calculator (SAFEIC) Guide

The South African Festivals Economic Impact Calculator (SAFEIC) is a free online tool developed by the South African Cultural Observatory specifically for cultural festival and event organisers so they can track the economic impact of their events.

SACO Conference 2018 Highlights Reel

Employment, job creation and the transformative power of creativity were some of the key issues discussed on both Day 1 and Day 2 of the South African Cultural Observatory’s (SACO) 2018 international conference at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Word from DAC

From the partners

Creative and Cultural Industries under the Spotlight at National Conference

Speech by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa

South African Cultural Observatory

The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) is a national statistical and socio-economic research project, established by the Department of Arts & Culture, with the purpose of developing a comprehensive cultural information system in South Africa. The South African Cultural Observatory is hosted by and based at the Nelson Mandela University, and co-hosted in partnership with Rhodes University the University of Fort Hare and the University of Kwazulu-Natal. The primary cultural domains, as idenitifed by UNESCO, such as arts, tourism, heritage, libraries and museums, are the main research focus of the SACO and such research will support the development of intellectual capacity across these sectors.

The key functions of the South African Cultural Observatory include the following:

Policy focused research (surveys, case studies)
Reviews of current programmes
M&E – impact of government spending
Collection of statistics (databases)
Physical and Online access
Networking, sharing, partnerships

Executive Direction - From the desk of...

The year 2021 started on a very bad note when the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic was devastatingly ruthless. It is difficult to find any family that has been spared or industry that has not experienced loss.

Latest News

Call for input: Mapping Study on Museum and Fashion Sectors

The French Embassy and French Institute in South Africa (IFAS) have initiated a mapping study of the creative and cultural industries in South Africa, with an initial focus on the museum and fashion sectors.

The SA Cultural Observatory - Measuring and Valuing SA’s Cultural and Creative Industries

The SA Cultural Observatory was established primarily to undertake economic research for the cultural and creative industries. We publish our reports in various media platforms, including this newsletter, to benefit as many cultural practitioners as possible.

Industry Highlights

BASA, in partnership with the British Council, recently (24- 26 March) hosted an assembly where they discussed a number of issues that affect the creative industries.

Exporting Our Culture- Exploring International Markets for the CCIs

The creative industries are growing — and will continue to play an important role in the economy. The cultural and creative industries (CCIs) are one of the world’s most rapidly growing and increasingly important economic sectors.

International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development 2021

Are you hosting an event, discussion, debate, conference or any other celebratory happening to mark the UN's 2021 International Year of the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development? Let us know about it and we will add it to our database of events happening throughout the year. Your event will also be logged in our report to the United Nations General Assembly.

Futures & Beyond - Where creativity & 4IR meet

UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA), in partnership with Andani.Africa, a creative industries research and insights company, proudly launches the inaugural Futures & Beyond Forum planned for 16 and 17 March 2021. The first of its kind in Africa, the Forum is a gathering of leading minds in the arts and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The Forum aims to start a conversation on the role of the creative industries in the continent’s future and the development of Africa-led strategies for creativity and innovation in technology.

Word from DAC

Mitigation plans to minimize the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the Sport, Arts and Culture sector

Statement by Minister Nathi Mthethwa on mitigation plans to minimize the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Sport, Arts and Culture sector.

Switzerland-based Levedo Foundation, in partnership with Pro Helvetia Johannesburg, is calling on all professional jazz musicians based in South Africa to apply for its short-term relief fund.

EU Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market

COPYRIGHT is a big issue in the digital age. The copyright debate is raging largely between the European Union (EU) and the big technology giants. EU lawmakers have been working for two years on proposed legislation aimed at updating copyright for the digital age.

The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) was given a boost with last week’s release of the UN’s Creative Economy Outlook and Country Profile report, giving the institution a fitting recognition.