Times Of Swaziland: MOROCCO CONFERENCE TO ENHANCE ARTS MOBILITY, FUNDING

MOROCCO CONFERENCE TO ENHANCE ARTS MOBILITY, FUNDING
================================================================================
Mxolisi Dlamini on 22/11/2024 07:52:00


MBABANE – The third annual ‘Arts Connect Africa’ (ACA) conference is set
to elevate artists and their music in the kingdom, as MTN Bushfire returns armed
with expertise gained from this significant gathering.
The conference commenced on November 20 and is currently on-going in Rabat,
Morocco, concluding on November 23. MTN Bushfire is the only entity representing
Eswatini at this conference, aiming to bring back valuable insights and
practices to help uplift local artists and their music. This information was
disclosed in a statement shared on the MTN Bushfire Festival’s social media
pages.
By attending the conference, the MTN Bushfire team will learn about various arts
funders that local artists can access, as well as strategies to make the
industry more accessible for all.
“We are exploring synergies with music industry professionals and discovering
new sounds by artists from Africa and the Middle East at the music market’s
live showcases. We are participating in conferences, workshops and professional
meetings aimed at sharing best practices, fostering collaborations and
addressing impediments to arts mobility and access to funding,” reads the
statement.
The ACA will also feature the ‘Visa For Music’ market, which will further
empower the MTN Bushfire team. ‘Visa For Music’ is a vibrant platform
dedicated to promoting artists and music from Africa and the Middle East. Each
year, this professional music market brings together artists, producers, agents
and various music industry professionals to showcase the richness and diversity
of emerging talent and facilitate artistic cultural exchanges. The MTN Bushfire
team expressed their eagerness to make meaningful contributions during these
sessions. “We look forward to contributing to discussions surrounding
international cultural cooperation models in Africa and across continents,”
they said.
This interactive experience at the ACA not only enriches the participants’
knowledge but also equips them with tools and insights that can be directly
applied to enhance the local arts scene in Eswatini. By focusing on sustainable
partnerships and effective funding models, the team expects to champion the
interests of local artists and provide them with opportunities to further their
careers on both regional and international stages. As the creative industry in
Eswatini continues to grow, engagements like the ACA conference play a vital
role in fostering relationships within the African and Middle Eastern arts
sectors. The knowledge acquired and connections established here will
undoubtedly shape the trajectory of music and arts in the kingdom, helping
artists gain exposure and access to resources that are crucial for their
development.