Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe form part of the British Council cluster of Southern Africa Arts. We create opportunities for urban 18 - 35 year old artists, creatives and audiences through programmes focusing on Creative Enterprise, Connections and Festivals. We do this through linking creative communities, partners and audiences both online and offline and across disciplines to build greater exposure for contemporary practice and culture. We undertake regional programmes where appropriate by responding to the interests and excitements of artists and arts organizations in the region and the UK.
Our work in Sub-Saharan Africa
The British Council’s Sub-Saharan Africa Arts programme (SSA Arts) works in the diverse and varied cities of Sub-Saharan Africa and the U.K. Individually, each city and art sector has much to offer and exchange, collectively they tell multi-layered stories of contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the U.K. Our arts programmes are underpinned by research, focused on young people (18 – 35-year olds), and are committed to:
- Supporting the creation of new art and sharing this art to audiences both online and in person
- Sharing skills and knowledge between creative communities in SSA and the U.K
- Creating new connections between young people in SSA and the UK.
Our programmes are delivered by partners (artists, arts professionals, arts organisations, collectives, hubs) who have the vision and understanding of their creative communities and are best placed to lead and tell the stories of their local art sectors. With our partners, we stimulate new ways of connecting with and understanding each other through the arts.