African Hub for Sustainable Creative Economies (AHSCE)
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Culture Media and Creative Industries
Abstract
The project aims to support the development of sustainable creative economies in Africa by developing valuable knowledge that can benefit creative entrepreneurs and recognise the value that academic research can bring to their sustainable development. The project builds on previous AHRC research highlighting the role that higher education institutions (HEIs) and creative intermediaries can play in developing creative economies. It puts the practice, networks and knowledge they have to support creative entrepreneurs at the core of a sustainable creative ecosystem. It aims to use new interdisciplinary modes of collaborative interaction to make a significant impact on creative entrepreneurs, creative graduates and wider communities as well as policy organisations. The project builds on equitable partnerships with three African HEIs and local creative economy project partners. It focuses on their strength, namely performing arts for the University of Lagos in Nigeria (working with Kininso Koncepts and The Crown Troupe of Africa), fashion and design for the University of Nairobi in Kenya (working with the Kenya Fashion Council) and film & digital media for the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa (working with the South African Cultural Observatory and South African Screen Federation). The project engages with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of 'decent work and economic growth, innovation' (8) but also engage with 'gender equality' (5) and 'sustainable cities and communities (11)'. It will create opportunities to think about the challenges and impacts of Covid-19 on African communities and their creativity and culture towards a sustainable future. In adopting a partnership model and promoting collaborations across the UK and Africa, as well as across African countries, the project also engages with the role of 'partnerships for the goals (17)'. The project will also be self-reflective and proactive in supporting the participation of women and young people. This will allow the diversity of the participants to also be a source of creativity and innovation. The activities of the project are centred around the development of a virtual knowledge hub that will become a point of reference for academics and practitioners. The project will emphasise the value of establishing equitable partnerships and ethical working practices across cultural, educational and societal stakeholders in these contexts. The project is divided in three phases: (1) Disseminating existing knowledge. This phase will focus on making the outputs and findings from previous AHRC-funded research Understanding and Supporting Creative Economies in Africa accessible to wider audiences, converting book chapters into a range of audio-visual formats shared via the virtual knowledge hub. (2) Developing new collaborative imagination projects with the sector. This phase will focus on developing knowledge (through interviews with creative entrepreneurs and practitioners) and supporting 30 collaborative projects between African HEI partners and their local creative economies. These will include collaborative online events and a Creative Collaboration Voucher Scheme. The researchers will follow project development and share learnings via the hub, also creating storymaps to capture the knowledge being developed. (3) Reflecting on collaborative learning and project legacy. The final phase will allow for reflection on the overall learning developed throughout the project. It will also concentrate on creating a legacy for the project by scoping the potential for a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Sustainable Creative Economies within ARUA. The main outcomes of the project will be (1) greater visibility and recognition of the work HEIs can do to support sustainable creative economies development and (2) the establishment, through the virtual knowledge hub, of a pathway for collaborative knowledge from HEIs and the sector.
Publications
Kibuchi W
(2023)
Brokering collaborations between academia and the creative economies in Africa through creative imagination workshops
in Industry and Higher Education
Description | Event 1 - Lagos Creative Voucher Scheme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 08/06/ 2022 Title: Making Theatre Viable in Nigeria: economic and business challenges Keynote/ Guests: Ms Bolanle Austen Peters (B.A.P. Productions). Workshops discussion to brainstorm ideas to submit to the Creative Voucher Scheme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/06/bolanle-austen-peters-gives-a-keynote-as-ahsce-lag... |
Description | Event 1 - Nairobi Creative Voucher Scheme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 14/06/2022 Title: Kenyan cultural identity and heritage in fashion. Keynotes / Guests: Ms Chepkemboi Mang'ira, fashion artist and Ms Esther Kute (Technical University of Kenya). Workshops discussion to brainstorm ideas to submit to the Creative Voucher Scheme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/06/creative-imagination-week-in-nairobi-cultural-heri... |
Description | Event 1 - South Africa Creative Voucher Scheme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 14/06/2022 Title: Developing Digital Film Hubs. Keynote/ Guests: Unathi Lutshaba (SACO Executive Director), Dr Alasambom Nyingchuo (University of Bamenda, Cameroon), Mr Skhumbuzo Mvelase (NFVF), Ms Aya Dlova (Manager Cortex Hub), Mr Sthembiso Mphehle (Filmmaker, Tshimologong Precinct). Workshops discussion to brainstorm ideas to submit to the Creative Voucher Scheme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/06/creative-imagination-workshop-sa-developing-digita... |
Description | Event 2 - Lagos Creative Voucher Scheme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 09/06/2022 Title: The sustainability of creative partnerships in the Performing Arts. Keynote/Guests: Mr Israel Eboh (National Association of Nigerian Theatre Artistes, NANTAP). Workshops discussion to brainstorm ideas to submit to the Creative Voucher Scheme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/06/partnership-is-beyond-sponsorship-lagos-hub-holds-... |
Description | Event 2 - Nairobi Creative Voucher Scheme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 17/06/2022 Title: Fashion, entrepreneurship innovation Keynotes/Guests: Mr Bevern Oguk (Creative Entrepreneur and Fashion Designer) and Ms. Wakiuru Njuguna (Partner and Investment Manager at HEVA Fund). Workshops discussion to brainstorm ideas to submit to the Creative Voucher Scheme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/06/innovation-and-entrepreneurship-in-fashion-in-keny... |
Description | Event 2 - South Africa Creative Voucher Scheme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 22/06/2022 Title: Women in Film Keynote/Guests: Prof Urmilla Bob (University of KwaZulu-Natal), Ms Zanele Mthembu (Newsroom Africa), Ms Thandi Davids (Producer, Executive) Workshops discussion to brainstorm ideas to submit to the Creative Voucher Scheme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/06/creative-imagination-workshop-sa-women-in-film-sup... |
Description | Event 3 - Lagos Creative Voucher Scheme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 10/06/22 Title: Theatre contribution to social change and development. Keynote/ Guests: Mr Segun Adefila, theatre artist, dancer, poet and thinker (co-founder of Crown Troupe of Africa). Workshops discussion to brainstorm ideas to submit to the Creative Voucher Scheme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/06/ahsce-lagos-hub-hosts-4th-virtual-event-as-the-mas... |
Description | Event 3 - Nairobi Creative Voucher Scheme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 21/06/2022 Title: technology and digital media in the fashion industry in Kenya. Keynotes/Guests: Mr Peng Chen (Co-founder and CEO of HustleSasa) and Ms Nthenya Mwendwa (fashion designer). Workshops discussion to brainstorm ideas to submit to the Creative Voucher Scheme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/06/creative-imagination-weeks-in-nairobi-focus-on-tec... |
Description | Event 3 - South Africa Creative Voucher Scheme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 28/06/2022 Title: Developing alternative film screening venues. Keynote / Guests: Ms Amy Shelver (SACO), Ms Jacqueline Motsepe (KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission), Mr Sivu Giba (independent documentary filmmaker), Mr Jonathan Gimple (Atlas Studios), Mr Mocke Jansen van Veuren, Mr Neo Monyamane, and Ms. Beverley Mitchell (Kliptown and Eldos Digital Film and Arts initiatives). Workshops discussion to brainstorm ideas to submit to the Creative Voucher Scheme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/06/creative-imagination-workshop-sa-developing-altern... |
Description | Online Launch Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | On the 8 March 2022 we held an online launch event for this new AHRC funded follow-on grant for impact and engagement entitled 'African Hub for Sustainable Creative Economies' as part of KIng's College Africa Week. Participants included academics, policy makers, practitioners and students in UK and across Africa |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/03/ahsce-launch/ |
Description | Participatory online event (Kenya) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | AHSCE Kenya Hub 16/05/2022. Around 50 participants participated in this online event and discussion concerning the launch of the Creative Imagination Weeks. Keynote/Guests: Dr Samuel M. Maina (Chairman, Department of Art and Design, The University of Nairobi) and Mr Isaac Maluki, (Deputy Chair of the Kenya Fashion Council). Three thematic breakout rooms: 1: Fashion, cultural heritage, and identity; 2: Fashion, entrepreneurship, and innovation; 3: Fashion, technology, and digital media. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/05/nairobi-ahsce-creative-imagination-launch-event/ |
Description | Participatory online event (Nigeria) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | AHSCE Nigeria Hub 10/05/2022 Around 50 participants participated in this online event and discussion concerning the launch of the Creative Imagination Weeks. Keynote/Guests: Professor Sunny Ododo (Chief Executive of the National Theatre) Three thematic breakout rooms: 1: Theatre contribution to Social Change and development: practices and evaluation; 2: Making Theatre Viable in Nigeria: economic and business challenges; 3: The Sustainability of Creative Partnerships in the Performing Arts. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/05/ahsce-lagos-holds-its-first-virtual-creative-imagi... |
Description | Participatory online event (South Africa) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | AHSCE South Africa Hub 09/05/2022 Around 50 participants participated in this online event and discussion concerning the launch of the Creative Imagination Weeks. Keynote / Guests: Mr Basiami Segola, (Vice-chair of SASFED), Ms Lesley Williams (CEO of Tshimologong) Three thematic breakout rooms: 1: Developing Digital Hubs to support filmmakers to engage with digital technologies; 2: Alternative Screening Venues to develop youth audiences; 3: Supporting Women in Leadership and Entrepreneurship. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.creative-economies-africa.org/2022/05/ahsce-south-africa-launch-event/ |