ARTERIAL NETWORK

Africa Centre creates new organisation.

As part of its mission, the Cape Town-based Africa Centre has a desire to contribute to the building of – and to participate in – various Pan African networks of arts/cultural organisations and individuals in order to carry its initiatives across the continent and to facilitate and support others where overlap of values and practices are found.

To this end, Africa Centre has reached an agreement with well-known arts mover and shaker/activist Mike van Graan to establish a new organisation primarily in support of the Arterial Network. Established in 2007, The Network has been run by a secretariat (including Mike) and has a need for a formal, legally associated entity to facilitate its work.

The new entity and the Arterial Network will, among other things, run training courses for cultural entrepreneurs, develop and manage a website directory of information about African arts and creative industries, undertake research into the impact of the creative economy in Africa, host seminars and conferences to develop Africa-based knowledge and strategies in the business of the arts, and create opportunities for African artists to sell their work into international markets.

The Africa Centre and Spier have raised new funding for this entity, providing technical support where needed. They will also act as the conduit for EU funding. Mike van Graan is tasked with the establishment of this entity and Tanner Methvin will take operational control of the Africa Centre and its projects.

For Arterial Network information contact director Mike van Graan on 082 900 3349.

For Africa Centre information contact Isla Haddow-Flood, Marketing and Communications Manager, on 021 422 0468 or e-mail: islahf@africacentre.net