Open call: Inaugural Global Artivism Conference in SA

This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to leveraging the arts for social and environmental change, fostering a platform for dialogue, innovation, advocacy and action.

The conference themed Artivism: Embracing Cultural Activism for a Safe and Just World aims to explore the dynamic intersection of the arts and activism, highlighting the pivotal role of creative expression in advocating for societal and environmental issues. The event promises to bring together a diverse array of voices from the arts, academia and activism to engage in meaningful discussions, workshops and exhibitions, showcasing the transformative power of artivism.

Context

The conference will seek to intentionally connect people and ideas across the many social and structural fractures present, even in the adjacent networks around the theory and practice of artivism. The power and relevance of artivism is unlikely to find a stronger argument than its own multifaceted demonstration. Artistic performances and creative works will also be invited in the coming weeks. Participants may be invited to connect with each other around similar, complementary or divergent perspectives and practices, in the spirit of the overall theme.

Key sub-themes

The conference gathering will explore themes and sub-themes listed here.

Submissions for papers

Papers of 20 minutes each (with a subsequent 10 minutes for questions) on aspects of ‘artivism’ on the above suggested sub-themes. Papers on related topics will also be considered if they are relevant to the overall field of research (e.g. on broader activism themes using the arts, artistic research using the arts). Selected papers delivered at the conference will be published afterwards and must be submitted for this purpose in their final form no later than four weeks after the conference.

• Abstract submission deadline: 30 April 2024.
• Notification of acceptance: 31 May 2024.
• Full paper submission deadline: 31 July 2024.
• Paper length: 5000 – 6 000 words (in the case of published papers).
• Formatting guidelines: APA 7th edition (1,5 spacing, Arial, 12 point).

Applicants should submit their abstract or paper and a short 250 words biography via email to Irene Botes and Zuziwe Mpanza at botesjc@tut.ac.za and MpanzaZ@tut.ac.za, respectively, with ‘Artivism Conference Submission’ in the subject line of the email.

Workshops

Workshops of 30 to 60 minutes each on aspects of ‘artivism’ on the above suggested themes or sub-themes. Workshops on related topics will also be considered if they are relevant to the overall field of research (e.g. on broader activism themes using the arts, artistic research using the arts). Selected workshops presented at the conference outcome can be published afterwards and must be submitted for this purpose in their final form no later than four weeks after the conference.

• Workshop theme/title.
• Aim.
• Target audience.
• Proposed outcome.
• Abstract submission deadline: 30 April 2024.
• Notification of acceptance: 31 May 2024.
• Full description deadline: 31 July 2024.

Applicants should submit their abstract or paper and a short 250 words biography via email to Irene Botes and Zuziwe Mpanza at botesjc@tut.ac.za and MpanzaZ@tut.ac.za, respectively, with Artivism Conference Submission in the subject line of the email.

Discussion groups

Discussion groups of 30 to 60 minutes each on aspects of ‘artivism’ on the above suggested themes or sub-themes. Discussion groups on related topics will also be considered if they are relevant to the overall field of research (e.g. on broader activism themes using the arts, artistic research using the arts).

• Discussion group theme/title.
• Aim.
• Target audience.
• Proposed outcome.
• Discussion groups submission deadline: 30 April 2024.
• Notification of acceptance: 31 May 2024.

Applicants should submit their discussion group information and a short 500 words biography via email to Irene Botes and Zuziwe Mpanza at botesjc@tut.ac.za and MpanzaZ@tut.ac.za, respectively, with Artivism Conference Submission in the subject line of the email.  

Poster presentations

Poster presentations should be done using an A1 format on any of the themes or sub-themes listed in this call. Applicants should submit short description of submissions and a short 250 words biography via email to Irene Botes and Zuziwe Mpanza at botesjc@tut.ac.za and MpanzaZ@tut.ac.za, respectively, with Artivism Conference Submission in the subject line of the email.

Registration

Early registration for the conference or intention to participate is highly encouraged. Details regarding registration fees, early bird discounts and registration deadlines can be found here.

Note: Presenting authors (in the case of research aspect) are required to register and attend the conference.

View the original call here.