Abstract
The Economic Empowerment through Cultural Inclusion (EECI) project is a collaboration between three universities in Belgium and South Africa. The South African socio-political and geographical landscape has been (mis)shaped by Apartheid laws of the twentieth century, and now various tensions, challenges and inequalities caused by displacement and systemic discrimination remain. The EECI project recognises and aims to harness the power of local artistic and cultural expressions from disadvantaged and underrepresented areas in Stellenbosch, South Africa, to address these tensions, challenges and inequalities through facilitating the creation of a transregional network of artists who can support and upskill each other while remaining financially independent. Local artists participated in the EECI project over a period of two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigating through the pandemic proved to be an enormous challenge, causing financial strain for the artists and limiting the scope of the social impact initiative in terms of opportunities for interaction and collaboration. In reflecting on the project, the artists, Belgian funders and South African co-promoters were interviewed to explore the challenges and positives that transpired during the COVID-19 lockdown. One of the issues that emerged from the data is the importance for local artists to build resilience for future socio-economic difficulties. Another important issue that emerged was the need for building trust between local artists, co-promoters and funders, considering the socio-political history and current realities in South Africa. This research has the potential to inform future projects planned in other cities and towns in South Africa and elsewhere.
Presenters
Sharné Mc DonaldStudent, Master of Arts in Visual Art, Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa Elizabeth Miller Vermeulen
Independent artist and art curator, and project coordinator, Visual Arts, Contractor for Stellenbosch University project, Western Cape, South Africa Karen Wuytens
Student, dr, PXL-MAD School of Arts Hasselt, Limburg (nl), Belgium Bert Willems
Associated Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Arts, University of Hasselt, Belgium Elmarie Costandius
Associate Professor, Visual Arts, Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Visual Arts, Community Interaction, Social Impact, COVID-19
