Progress Report: Update on CO achievements

Global partnership unlocks collaboration for South Africa-Argentina Cultural Observatories

On behalf of the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), the Cultural Observatory hosted two workshops in November with South African Cultural Observatory, DAC and SInCA (Cultural Information System of Argentina) and Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA).

The first saw SInCA provide insight into how to effectively run and manage a cultural observatory and share lessons with representatives of the South African Cultural Observatory and DAC.

The Argentines provided an overview of how SInCA has successfully established itself, the challenges and obstacles it has faced and the practices it employs to deliver the most accurate information possible.

The practicalities of establishing and running a cultural observatory were explored. “We learnt about benchmarks and best practice we can apply – taking heed of both SInCA’s successes and challenges in the establishment of their organisation,” said South African Cultural Observatory chief executive, Prof. Richard Haines. “There are a lot of lessons we could use and that can be applied to the South African Cultural Observatory.”

Under discussion were a number of important topics, including the:

• Role of government in the promotion of arts and culture sector;
• Approach the Cultural Observatory has to culture;
• Structure of Cultural Observatory;
• Strategic Alliances of the Cultural Observatory;
• Identifying of the markets and the filling of gaps;
• Use of the UNESCO framework, as a fundamental foundation;
• The collection of data;
• How much to be spent on satellite accounts; and
• Cultural Observatory information systems and sources.

The workshop was incredibly successful resulting in the forging of a turnkey global partnership with the Argentine institution.

The CCIFSA workshop on 13 November 2015 aimed to introduce the important Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa to the Cultural Observatory and establish a working relationship and identify possible areas for collaboration.

In general the workshop outcomes highlighted that the South African Cultural Observatory should place emphasis on ensuring that the inputs from activists and practitioners are taken into account when developing the research agenda.

“The recommendations of CCIFSA have already helped shape our approach to engaging the creative and cultural industries. A national workshop and conference are planned to tease the complexities of a national research agenda out,” said Haines, adding that the workshop collective also noted to the need to develop customised models and interventions that would meet the unique needs to the South African cultural and creative industry.

A sound working relationship was established with CCIFSA ahead of the national workshop scheduled for February and the national conference in March.