The upcoming Global Artivism Conference 2024, presented by the Tshwane University of Technology's Faculty of Arts and Design, Riky Rick Foundation, Community Arts Network (CAN), the City of Tshwane, and the Global Commons Alliance (GCA), will reimagine the intersection of art and activism and challenge the notion of art for art's sake. This landmark conference will be held at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Tshwane from 5 to 8 September and featuring an array of thought leaders exploring artivism from various perspectives.
Themed Artivism: Embracing Cultural Activism for a Safe and Just World, the conference will highlight the crucial role of creative expression in advocating for social and environmental change.
The event will empower individuals and organisations on the frontlines of democracy by catalysing world-class networking opportunities. This will enable them to advance their work, fostering long-lasting change by addressing climate change, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), uplifting vulnerable communities, discrimination and injustice.
Why Artivism?
In recent years, artivism has grown in importance globally as it bridges the gap between art and activism, using creative expression to raise 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 cannot always achieve. Artivism has the power to inspire change, challenge societal norms and amplify marginalised voices, making it an essential tool for driving social progress and advocating for positive change on a global scale.
The conference features a packed agenda of workshops, youth forums, panel discussions and performances by local and international talent and thought leaders from around the world.
World-class keynote speakers
Notable keynote speakers include:
- Favianna Rodriguez, a contemporary interdisciplinary artist, cultural strategist and entrepreneur from California known for her work in social justice and cultural equity
- Kumi Naidoo, a human rights and climate justice activist, Payne Distinguished Lecturer at Stanford University and special advisor to the Green Coalition
- Dr Jasna Jovićević, a Serbian artivist and acclaimed saxophonist
Kumi Naidoo, co-founder of the Riky Rick Foundation for the Promotion of Artivism, 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."
Prof Nalini Moodley, Executive Dean: Faculty of Arts and Design, Tshwane University of Technology, echoes Naidoo's sentiments, saying “Artivism is central to society and universities, harnessing the transformative power of art to address pressing social issues. It encourages critical thinking, fosters empathy and promotes dialogue across different spaces and peoples. Through artivism, universities, in particular, can engage students and communities in meaningful ways, catalysing activism and advocacy around issues that affect societies across all borders".
"It empowers individuals to voice their experiences, challenge norms and envision a more just and inclusive society. Artivism enriches academic discourse by offering creative solutions to complex challenges, while fostering systems of understanding and social responsibility. In universities, embracing artivism not only enhances academic learning, but also cultivates future leaders who are equipped to drive positive change in the world," adds Prof Moodley.
The event will also feature an exhibition of photographs by Ernest Cole, one of South Africa's pioneering Black freelance photographers, known for his powerful documentation of the harsh realities of life under apartheid. Another highlight will be the international exhibition Women's Rights Are Human Rights, organised and curated by Elizabeth Resnick, Professor Emerita of Graphic Design at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, USA.
The Women's Rights Are Human Rights exhibition leverages the powerful medium of poster art from designers all over the globe that brings Artivism to life by addressing the intertwined nature of women's rights and human rights.
The Global Artivism Conference 2024 promises to be not just an event, but a movement towards a safer, more just world through the transformative power of art.
Conference delegates will engage and network with peers from around the world who are driving change, take part in workshops and discussions that provide practical tools for advocacy and experience performances and exhibitions that demonstrate the power of artivism.
Individuals and organisations passionate about driving social change are invited to be part of this exciting event.
Your participation will help facilitate this important cultural dialogue and demonstrate your commitment to creative initiatives that promote positive social change.
For more information, to register for the conference or to inquire about sponsorship, please visit https://globalartivism.com/.
