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 DSAC

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...

As we publish this edition of the Cultural Observer, most of the West has placed South Africa in the travel red list owing to the Omicron variant of Covid-19 identified by the South African scientists.

Latest News

SACO Releases Covid-19 Impact Report in Soweto

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions most industry events and activities have either been cancelled or largely held online since April 2020.

Industry News and Highlights

The Cape Town-based artist, Andrea du Plessis (40) has been announced as the winner of the 2021 Sasol New Signatures Art Competition.

Six Artists Scoop The 2021 Standard Bank Young Artists Awards

Six young South African artists were the successful winners and recipients of the Standard Bank Young Artists for 2021. The fortunate artists are Kristi-Leigh Gresse (Dance), Vuma Levin (Jazz), Buhlebezwe Siwani (Visual Art), Cara Stacey (Music), Gavin Krastin (Performance Art) and Thando Doni (Theatre).

Executive Direction - September 2021

As I write this, we are closing off the Heritage Month in SA, a period during which many South Africans make a deliberate effort to celebrate both their living and intangible cultural heritage in visible ways.

Thuso Mbedu Vindicates SA Creative Talents

The South African creative industry can be proud of the talent it continues to produce and is appreciated beyond our shores. The country’s talent impresses audiences across the world. Thuso Mbedu is one such young talent to emerge from here and is doing amazing work on a world stage showcasing raw South African talent.

Africa’s Creative Economies A Subject of a London University Study

Africa’s creative economies got a shot in the arm with the recent publication of a report by London’s King’s College. The report, titled Understanding And Supporting Creative Economies In Africa presents a critical discussion on the role of creative intermediaries, focusing specifically on their contribution to the development of creative economies in Africa.

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

The Observatory was established to undertake economic research for and about the cultural and creative industries in SA. Additionally we have done research on other related sectors that impact the cultural industries.