KZN LAUNCH OF ARTERIAL NETWORK

All KZN Artists and Cultural Organisations are invited to the South African regional launch of Arterial Network in KwaZulu-Natal.

Arterial Network is a proactive network of artists and organisations which already has chapters in 21 African countries and a membership of over 2,000 artists and organisations across the continent. This is a continental network of artists, cultural activists, art NGO's, cultural enterprises and others committed to developing African music, dance, theatre, literature, craft, design, visual art and film in their own right and as a means to contribute to democracy, human rights and development in Africa.

The aims of the Arterial Network include developing networks to lobby on behalf of Africa's creative sector at national, continental and international levels as well as to collect and distribute information to empower civil society in African countries to take informed action in their interests. The network will facilitate debate about local and international cultural themes and develop African positions and leadership on such issues as well as help build new markets for African artists and for Africa's creative goods.

Further aims are to build capacity and leadership within the African creative sector through training programmes, mentorships, residencies, etc. and help improve the working conditions and defend the rights of African artists. Further focus is placed on the need to promote and defend human rights, including the right to freedom of creative expression.

The Arterial Network South African regional launch: Durban will take place on May 4 from 17h30 to 19h30 at the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The programme will include a welcome by Peter Rorvik, director of Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) as well as a keynote address by Carole Karemera - Deputy Secretary General of Arterial Network and Country Representative for Rwanda. Carole is an actress, a theatre practitioner and former Director of the Festival of Panafrican Dance (FESPAD) in Kigali. She runs the vibrant Ishyo Arts Centre and is very active in the cultural sector in and outside of Rwanda.

There will be a formal introduction to Arterial Network including its history, structre, projects rot date as well as the benefits of the network to the local arts community. This will be followed by questions and discussion and then tea and membership sign-up.

Membership is free. For further information visit www.arterialnetwork.org and www.artsinafrica.com

RSVP by May 3 to the CCA on 031 260 2506/ 1816.

The CCA is located on Mazisi Kunene Avenue in a triple story pale yellow house +/- 30m before the entrance boom gate to the Howard College campus of the University. To enter press the buzzer next to the big green gate. Parking available inside the gate. Tel: 031 260 2506