Overview

Many countries across Africa lack sound artistic and cultural infrastructure, such as governmental support, commercial galleries and art colleges. To fill this void, alternative spaces, collectives and projects have developed to support artists. Some of these spaces and activities have been successful in enabling artists to develop their practice, as well as in engaging with international artists and global arts initiatives. Workshops and residencies have been the mainstay for many emerging, Pan-African artists and have brought them local and international recognition and opportunities that would not have existed otherwise. These artist-driven projects provide alternatives to systems that are available in other parts of the world. They have also brought artists and local audiences together, helped build bridges and promote understanding by creating forums for dialogue and discussion.