Creative Africa Nexus To Showcase African Arts & Crafts Sectors

Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) is hosting its ‘Harnessing and Monetising Cultural Expression through Contemporary African Arts & Crafts’ digital event on Thursday 26 August at 15:00 CAT, with expert panellists highlighting the attractions of the sector’s art pieces which are becoming increasingly sought after by international collectors, auction houses and museums. The webinar will also be promoting the CANEX events at the Intra-African Trade Fair 2021 (IATF 2021), which is being held from 15^th to 21^st November 2021 in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

The digital event, taking place on 26 August at 15:00 CAT will provide expert insights into the evolving African arts and craft sector, with particular focus on storytelling, protection of Intellectual Property Rights, global reach, distribution and access to finance. The panel will also feature successful creative artists and highlight experience-based views on developing policies that will promote and entrench arts and crafts education and management. In addition, representatives from Afreximbank will inform on how the sector can access financing and other resources to successfully monetise the arts and crafts ecosystem.

Moderated by Elana Brundyn  Chief Executive Norval Foundation, panellists at the webinar will include Egyptian jewellery designer, Azza Fahmy, founder of Azza Fahmy Jewellery; Founder and CEO of Art X Collective, Tokini Peterside; Founder Amwa Designs, Chissa Amuah; andStephen Tio KaumaDirector & Global Head of Human Resources for the African Export Import Bank, Co-Lead Afreximbank Art Programme, founding member and current convener of the Contemporary Art Society of Uganda.

This digital event is part of a series of sessions that have already taken place in the build-up to the Intra-African Trade Fair 2021.

The comprehensive programme for the CANEX event at IATF 2021 includes:

• CANEX Exhibition from 15^thto 21^st November 2021.
• CANEX Live Theatre with a daily programme that will include live music; African dance; African fashion and accessories; festival directors in music, film and fashion; authors of books that have been made into films; showcasing of African films; visual artists; social media as an entrée into the film and television industry; interactive XR and e-gaming; talent management; and much more.
• CANEX Marketplace offering stalls for vendors in creative industries in the CANEX Exhibition, enabling sales, networking and socialising.
• CANEX Summit in November 2021. It will have sessions on numerous topics including leveraging AfCFTA to promote the creative and cultural industries; insights into Afrobeat and its future prospects; protecting intellectual property rights of African creatives; Africa’s response to the effects of global digital disruption; discussions on policy, financial systems, tax incentive and rebate schemes in relation to the creation of an African Film Fund; access to finance; challenges and opportunities in African fashion. It will also be showcasing Africa’s talent in film, music, fashion, arts and crafts, by hosting numerous live performances. The overarching aim of the CANEX Summit is to develop action plans for the creative industries; identify priorities and global cooperation opportunities.
• CANEX Masterclasses focusing on key topics for those in the creative industries including access to funding; leveraging on African culture to boost your career.These are hosted by experts and will be taking place throughout IATF 2021

To register for the free webinar on 26 August at 15:00 CAT click on the following link:

https://intrafricantradefair.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OJZJpTvXTVKwrgRV7w07vA?fbclid=IwAR2qmAMU58OTT62acI6Q6YvzzKZqLStuywC7XFCsMw22PZ5TZp_tv2qGc6Q