ResiliArt Online Debate – African Cultural and Creative Industries: COVID-19 and Beyond

Africa Tech and Creative Group (ATCG) is hosting the ‘ResiliArt Online Debate: African Cultural and Creative Industries COVID-19 and Beyond’ to be held on Saturday, May 9th via Zoom. The event will see discussions around the state of creativity in Africa while capturing individual experiences of African creative industry experts and strides of resilience in various communities.

The debate panellists have been specially selected from the four corners of Africa to represent different views and aspect across the continent. Joining as panellists are Audu Maikori, the CEO of Chocolate City Group, West Africa; Lesley Donna Williams, CEO of Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, South Africa; George Gachara, Managing Partner of HEVA Fund, East Africa; and Ouafa Belgacem, Founder and CEO of Culture Funding Watch, North Africa.

Throughout social distancing and self-isolation, art has been thriving regardless of the threatening shortfalls. Artists have since adapted, tapping into their creativity to deliver messages of support and hope, give health guidelines and entertain the world through virtual concerts. These artists, as well as other cultural experts and social organisations, have been and still are playing an essential role in our society.

Significant issues to be discussed include avenues to, “promote intra-African collaboration and knowledge sharing to inspire action and effectiveness of the African Creatives response to COVID-19; start an engaging dialogue about the impact of the pandemic on the creative industry; and give visibility to creatives in North, South, East and West Africa– renowned or unknown – and ensure their voices are heard to address existing gaps/ needs during COVID-19.”

Artists and creatives can be recognised as forces that help us get through these uncertain times through creativity and the power of technology. This debate session will provide artists, governments and socio-cultural organisations with essential feedback and proactive methods to create disaster-resistant communities more effectively. The best strategists and risk management teams in banks and governments did not see this coming, no one prepared for any of this. How then can we harness technology capability and integration in order to address artists and creatives’ needs – welfare – significantly? The time is now to act on this new wealth of technology capabilities.

Register Here to join the debate.

Event Timing: Saturday, May 9th

Time:   2:00 PM – 3:50 PM WAT (West African Time)

4:00 PM – 5:50 PM EAT (East African Time)

About Post Author

Tinashe Zvakasikwa

Tinashe (Nash) is editor-in-chief and publisher of Edu Pulse Magazine. He brings 8+ years of experience as a journalist, creative writer and digital editor.

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