The World’s First Artivism event of its kind is set to take place in Pretoria, where artivists will unite, share ideas and work towards a safer and more just world:
Pretoria, South Africa (02 August 2024) — The upcoming Global Artivism Conference 2024 (set to be a first of its kind for the world) will take place in Pretoria!
A global effort uniting artivists and different ideas of impact, the occasion will be presented by the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Arts and Design, the Riky Rick Foundation, City of Tshwane, Community Arts Network and the Global Commons Alliance.
The goal? To reimagine the intersection of art and activism and challenge the notion of art for art’s sake under the theme: Embracing Cultural Activism for a Safe and Just World. Under this guidance, creative minds are coming together to highlight the crucial role of creative expression in advocating for social and environmental change.
All About Artivism
Artivism has grown in importance globally as a bridge between the arts and activism to create awareness, stimulate debate and inspire action on important social, political and environmental issues.
Through art, artists and activists can communicate complex messages, evoke emotions and engage audiences in ways that traditional activism can’t always achieve.
With that being said, artivism has the power to inspire change, challenge norms, amplify voices and ultimately act as an essential tool for driving social progress – use South African artivists like Natania Botha as a fantastic point of reference!
Notable keynote speakers will include Favianna Rodriguez, a contemporary interdisciplinary artist, cultural strategist and entrepreneur from California, Kimi Naidoo, who is a human rights and climate justice activist and Payne Distinguished Lecturer at Stander University, as well as a special advisor to the Green Coalition.
Co-founder of the Riky Rick Foundation, Kumi says:
“The main challenge facing activism is our inability to communicate powerfully enough to ensure that the urgency of the multiple crises facing humanity is responded to with the widest possible participation and with a deep sense of urgency. While arts and culture alone will not provide salvation from the challenges we face, without harnessing the power of arts and culture we are guaranteed to fail.”
The event is also set to feature an exhibition of photographs by one of South Africa’s pioneering Black freelance photographers known for his powerful documentation of the harsh realities of life under apartheid, Ernest Cole. Another highlight will be the international exhibition ‘Women’s Rights are Human Rights’ as organised by Elizabeth Resnick, Professor Emertia at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.
You can find out more here.
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