The South African Cultural Observatory invites arts and culture practitioners, academics, professionals, academics, researchers and all those associated with the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) in South Africa to attend and contribute where appropriate to: ‘Counting Culture: The Cultural and Creative Industries in National and International Context.’
| Date: | 16 – 17 May 2016 |
| Venue: | The Boardwalk International Convention Centre, Nelson Mandela Bay |
The South African Cultural Observatory – recently formed and mandated by the South African Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) – also invites submissions for papers and presentations for its first national conference.
Through presentation of past and present research, policy analysis and lived experience, the conference aims to facilitate forward-looking discussions and contribute to the South African Cultural Observatory’s Research Agenda, and current and emerging networks of interest and research in the creative and cultural domains.
Speakers will include local and international academics; industry professionals and practitioners; public managers and intellectuals; private sponsors and practitioners and supporters of the Cultural and Creative Industries; and organisers of cultural festivals and events.
The conference is intended to be popular and broad-based and provide a meaningful platform for dialogue between stakeholders in the CCI as well as linked agencies and actors.
The conference seeks to bring together arts and culture scholars, practitioners and managers, cultural attaches, statisticians, festival and event organisers, relevant state agencies, private sector firms, civil society and third sector organisations, individual actors in the CCI and other interested parties.
Academics, professionals, industry practitioners and public intellectuals are all encouraged to participate in the conference. There will be a specific session for postgraduate students working in the relevant fields.
Registration is required for attendance and admission to the conference and supporting events. Interested parties are encouraged to register as soon as possible as space is limited.
Closing date for registration: 21 April 2016.
Conference organiser: Salome Clack – Maven Connection
e-mail: organiser@saco2016.co.za
Cell: +27 (082) 907 0954
Fax: +27 (086) 675 7116
Proposals from relevant disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields that demonstrate relevance to the themes and subject matter outlined below will be considered. Proposals from practitioners, organisations and interested parties in all cultural domains are welcome.
Areas of interest include: Cultural and natural heritage; museums; performance and celebration arts and festivals; visual arts and crafts; film production and distribution; the digital cultural economy; book publishing; recording, broadcasting, audio-visual media and multimedia; and design and creative services.
Prompt consideration will be given to all submissions and candidates will be notified within 3 days whether their submissions have been accepted.
International, Regional and African Experiences and Best Practice
The South African Experience
Sporting events are more than moments of competition, national pride, and entertainment. They are economic activities that can stimulate tourism, create employment, support local businesses, and generate revenue across multiple sectors of the economy.
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Each September, South Africa turns its attention to the rich cultural tapestry that defines our nation. Heritage Month is a time to honour the traditions, languages, histories, knowledge systems, customs and creative expressions that have been passed from generation to generation, while recognising that our heritage is not confined to the past.
My first encounter with heritage at the Mandela Bay Development Agency was, appropriately, somewhat uncomfortable. It began with cleaning. The Gale Monument, the Horse Memorial and the Queen Victoria statue became my first practical introduction to the business of preserving history.
