For første gang hedrer Raftoprisen en kunstner. Budskapet er at kunst kan være et viktig verktøy i kampen mot autoritære regimer. Anerkjennelsen av Otero Alcántaras arbeid minner oss om at kunstneriske rettigheter er menneskerettigheter – og de må beskyttes
We are happy to announce that the Rafto Prize 2024 has been awarded to Cuban artist and activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, in recognition of his courageous resistance to authoritarianism through art. Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is the first Rafto Prize laureate whose activism is rooted in artistic expression. His work stands as a profound example of how art can be a vital tool in the fight for artistic rights and freedom of expression, making this year’s award especially meaningful within the arts sector.
2023 was marked by severe conflicts, such as those in Sudan and Gaza, alongside political tensions fueled by extremism and threats. It was a perilous year for anyone voicing opinions on war, politics, challenging tradition, or critiquing the powerful—artists were no exception.
Ettijahat is excited to announce two new support programs designed to empower Arab artists and art collectives residing in Europe: the Rawabet Programme and the Zad: Miles for Connection Programme. Both initiatives aim to enhance the presence and mobility of Arab artists within the European cultural scene.
The ZAT (Temporary Artistic Zone) is now transformed into a dynamic multimedia digital magazine. Emerging from the rich tapestry of Dream City Festival and the pioneering efforts of L'Art Rue, ZAT has always been a platform for bold artistic expressions and civic struggles. This innovative edition encapsulates the memorable encounters, dialogues, and collaborations of recent years.
The Nordic Culture Fund is a relatively new player in the financing of international projects. In the past, such investment has belonged to the member states' foreign policy, while the fund has supported projects between the Nordic members. In their newsletter from June, it is the ventures between the Nordics and the rest of the world that are given attention. This is interesting reading and an exciting development.
Ettijahat unveils the second book in its 2021-2022 Research Programme to Strengthen the Culture of Knowledge, titled "A Decade of Arts." This edition features four insightful research papers by Nour Asalia, Tala Shams Eddin, Shama Elrashhed Babeker, Mohamad Abdulrahman Hasan, and Zaher Alkaei.
Published in collaboration with Mamdouh Adwan Publishing House, this book is one of three examining Syrian artistic production, set against the backdrop of cultural transformations in the Arab region. Supported by the Arab Fund for Culture and Arts (AFAC) and the Arab Council for the Social Sciences, these papers delve into the complexities and future prospects of Syrian arts amidst ongoing regional changes.
The research programme of Ettijahat has been supported by Mimeta since its inception.
For more details from the interesting Newsletter June edtition, visit Ettijahat
PANAF is seeking writers from The Gambia, Zambia, and Kenya to focus on the following topics:
The Emerging Generation of Socially Conscious Artists: Profiling leading socially conscious artists
Economic Empowerment through Art: Highlight initiatives and artists who are using their creativity to generate income, support local economies, and empower marginalised communities
The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are crucial to Mimeta’s vision and approach to the idea of cultural development and artistic freedom. They are precisely emphasising how Mimeta can promote democratisation and the implementation of human rights. The SDGs also influence the structures of monitoring and evaluating within programmes of Mimeta
One of the strategic discourses given much attention by our partners relates to this significant role of the arts and storytellers, in shaping our understanding of the world around us. In contemporary terminology this understanding is defined as the narratives we relate to. For our partners the possible shaping of changes in these narratives is a primary motivation for their work, according to a survey Mimeta did among partners in 2022.
The former partner of Mimeta, Culture and Development East Africa (CDEA,) and the Tanzania Artists Rights Organization (TARO) have released a report looking at critical aspects affecting artists and the creative landscape in the country.
The report was part of the Sanaa Rights project supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dar Es Salaam and aimed to bolster the policy and legislative frameworks surrounding the arts sector. The project focused on mapping, reviewing, and providing recommendations for policies and laws pertinent to artistic expression. It also includes policy and legislative roundtables, as well as stakeholder dialogues to engage diverse perspectives within the artistic community and beyond.
The report concludes on challenges on issues as cultural protectionism, politcal interference, lack of harmonization of laws and regulations and un-professionalism in the sector. The art and culture sector is yet to be considered as a development sector, it states.
The recommendation for civil society organisations is to “advocate for the separation of the function of artist federations and associations from the government, so that they can independently enhance their voice and urgency on artistic freedom”.
See the report here!
Our partners network building is many-faceted. They serve professionalism in a field. They are extensive alumina networks based on participation in capacity building programs within the sector. They are kept together by a common interest in upholding an arts sector despite migration and re-location from a broken homeland. They are served by diaspora-based entities that works to uphold and foster critical voices at home ground. They are part of international alliances for the protection of artist at risk. As examples. A new tendency is the focus from the arts and culture sector to engage in cross-sectorial networks, and they are organizing locally, regionally and on an international level, implying a shift from policy and advocacy networks to socially engaged networks where purposes are within the field of (social and political) change.
Bayimba is calling on artists to submit applications to perform at the 16th edition of the Bayimba International Festival of the Arts on Lunkulu Island, Uganda, from 11th to 15th September 2024.
The Bayimba Festival presents a multidisciplinary programme of artists from around the world in music, dance, film, fashion, photography, storytelling, theatre and visual arts.
The line-up of confirmed artists will be announced on the 20th of August.
Preference is given to:
Artists with unique artistic identity and ready production.
Women artists or groups led by women.
Young, new and budding talents.
Production content or exhibitions that are to be presented live.
For more information see here!
Throughout 2023, Mimeta provided essential support to nine key partners across Middle east and Africa, enabling them to conduct impactful cultural and artistic programs. Through financial support and capacity-building initiatives, these partners extended support to 545 organizations, strengthening their ability to contribute to the cultural landscape. Additionally, dedicated efforts were made to safeguard 280 artists facing risks, offering them protection, and ensuring their freedom to express their artistry. Training and capacity-building programs benefited 1,575 professionals, enhancing their skills and contributing to the development of the cultural sector. Events organized by our partners attracted 133,775 attendees, highlighting the widespread public engagement and the vibrant cultural life fostered by these initiatives.
Action for Hope Introduces an In-depth Training Guide and we as Mimeta are very pleased to share. It is a comprehensive training program aimed at enhancing the capacities of cultural managers operating within complex socio-political environments.
- I can feel the solidarity every time I meet another artist. Its rather a lack of organised solidarity, its not formalised into anything
Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen, panellist at the Wexfo Brakout session, Navigating the Pressures: Protecting Artistic Freedom in a Complex Landscape. Photo From the facebook album of Wexfo (link)
The presumption of freedom of expression being media, rather than art. The session focused on how artistic rights and freedom can take a larger space within this rights environment. Why are there poor protection networks for artists, what can artists learn from journalists and their safety structures..
This breakout session at Wexfo 2024 was collaboratively prepared by NOPA, Mimeta, and Fritt Ord, representing the collective efforts of the event. Approximately 30 participants gathered for this seminar, which was structured as a panel discussion followed by an interactive workshop.
BULLA is a platform that promotes free creation and seeks to vindicate the role of artists who exercise cultural leadership aimed at transforming their communities. It is also a collaborative movement focused on defending artistic expression and promoting its recognition as a fundamental human right in the construction of free, plural, and democratic societies. It is a space to unleash the power of art and music in defending human rights and in empowering solutions to the social issues of their communities. BULLA is a a project from Fundación Cartel Urbano focused on the defense of artistic freedom in Latin America.
"The State of Artistic Freedom in Latin America 2020-2022," a comprehensive inquiry undertaken by the platform "BULLA," an initiative of Fundación Cartel Urbano dedicated to safeguarding artistic freedom in Latin America, represents an endeavor poised to illuminate the multifaceted challenges confronting artists within the region. Positioned at the nexus of socio-political discourse, this report meticulously scrutinizes the manifold threats posed to artistic expression by an array of actors, including state entities, drug trafficking organizations, and organized crime syndicates.
Tuesday, April 9
Speaking section: 4:30 - 6:00 pm EST
Performance and Reception: 6:00 - 8:00 pm EST
United Nations Headquarters
405 E 45th Street
New York, NY 10017
Nhimbe Trust, a dedicated advocate for cultural rights, has recently published its inaugural report focusing on artistic freedom in the Africa Region. Titled "Artistic Freedom in Focus: A Call for Change," the report meticulously examines cases of artistic freedom violations, highlighting the challenges faced by creators in the region.
Mimeta this week launched the Sector Collective Program Organization aimed at fostering collaboration among multiple organizations and sponsors to address shared challenges and tasks within the cultural rights sector.
I work carefully and imperceptibly below the surface when it comes to freedom of artistic expression. Deep down I stand by those who want to break it but remind them of realities above the surface. At the same time, the water becomes shallower. This is my duty as a producer.
(Faisal Kiwewa, Bayimba, Uganda.)
Poster A3 for uploading
Poster A3 for uploading
The short version
Mimetas vision is to give GIVE PEOPLE THEIR RIGHT TO FREE CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS, created on free terms and presented by independent institutions.
Our mission is to support and protect those who want to enhance a culture by aesthetic or intellectual means.
By both our vision and mission Mimeta highlight the impact arts have on developing open societies, including the culture itself and the political spfere.
On the strategic level Mimeta is acheiving results by supporting organisations and individuals who work on behalf of the arts, to improve the sectors´ position on rights issues, in political and legal matters, on professionalism and skills, the distribution of the arts and - in the end - the sustainability of the sector.
We call them the service providers to the arts.
For more information on our priorities and strategic initiatives
Nadia Cherif was given the task of evaluating Mimeta's program for cultural sector development (2020-22. It was finalized in november 2023, and gave good input for next stage. Read here
