News Listing

Open Source: Latest research for download April 2016

 | 13.04.16

The South African Cultural Observatory Research Agenda presents the Research Agenda for the cultural and creative industries of South Africa. This Research Agenda represents an attempt by the Department of Arts and Culture to focus research efforts and resources towards achieving research outputs that would enhance the development of the Cultural and Creative Industries in South Africa and to advance the policy imperatives of the South African Government and its key stakeholders.

Opportunities: UNESCO International Fund for the Promotion of Culture (IFPC) Funding Call

 | 13.04.16

The International Fund for the Promotion of Culture (IFPC) has opened a call for funding.

Visual Arts Sector sets its sights on best practice

 | 13.04.16

IN A landmark moment for the visual arts, the Visual Arts Network of South Africa (VANSA), will host a series of consultations to get input from the sector for the development of a norms and standards booklet. Currently the sector does not employ a universal best practise standard for professional work in the various fields.

From the Partners: The town where hip-hop is healing South Africa’s broken youth^

 | 13.04.16

A large body of research shows that in South Africa’s black townships, a youth masculinity dominates, probably best captured by the gangsta hip-hop term “swagger”. It involves a highly sexualised, aggressive manner, sporting the latest consumer goods, and not being averse to violence, alcohol abuse and drugs – basically how hip-hop functions universally. What is less commonly known is that there is an “underground” hip-hop movement in South Africa promoting an alternative lifestyle.

National Arts Festival unleashes feisty line-up for 2016

 | 13.04.16

SOUTH AFRICA’S visionaries, mavericks and disruptors headline this year’s National Arts Festival, which runs from 30 June to 10 July in Grahamstown.

The NFVF announces new funding cycles and online application portal

 | 13.04.16

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture, provides film and video-related funding in the broad categories of Education and Training; Development; Production, Marketing and Distribution. As of 1 April 2016 the NFVF concluded a change from four to three funding cycles per year.

Note from the Culturalist: CEO

 | 24.03.16

It’s been a rapidly moving start to the year at the South African Cultural Observatory and momentum is certainly propelling us forward. It’s almost unbelievable that the second quarter of the year is upon us, but looking back much has been achieved that is already setting the tone for the coming months.

Rapid Response Teams Necessary for Conflict Zone Conservation

 | 24.03.16

EGYPT: Abdel Hamid Salah el-Sharief arrived at the Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo, Egypt to confront a glittering sea of broken glass.

Open Source: Latest research for download March 2016

 | 24.03.16

Although already in the public domain for over a year now, the KEA and Kaiser Associates Report, Trade In Creative And Cultural Goods And Services – EU-South Africa CCIS Development, is still highly relevant to the South African creative and cultural industries.

SACO Conference

 | 24.03.16

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.’

ACT Awards

 | 24.03.16

The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is inviting nominations for the eagerly awaited 2016 ImpACT Awards, which are held annually in recognition and celebration of excellence within the arts, culture and creative sectors in South Africa.

From the Partners

 | 24.03.16

Research and creative thinking can change the world. This means that academics have enormous power. But, as academics Asit Biswas and Julian Kirchherr have warned, the overwhelming majority are not shaping today's public debates.