Open call: 2025 South African Cultural Observatory Conference abstracts

This will be a hybrid event with opportunities offered for both in-person and virtual attendees.

From the rise of artificial intelligence to shifting political and social structures, the Cultural and Creative industries (CCIs) are dynamic sites for varied forms of artistic, creative and innovative work linking past, present and future, and producing artefacts of intangible and tangible value.

The International South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) Conference invites participants to explore and critically engage with the futures of creative economies across the globe. The conference will examine how emerging and hegemonic technologies, global disruptions, and changing cultural landscapes, whether real, virtual or hyperreal, and conditioning creative practices and policies, institutions and industries.

Who should participate?

• Local and international academics.
• Industry professionals and practitioners.
• Public managers, policymakers, and thought leaders.
• Creative entrepreneurs.
• Cultural institutions.
• Researchers, consultants, and arts funders.
• Private sector players.
• Arts funders and impact investors.
• Organisations within the cultural and creative sectors.
• Artists, content creators and creative workers, including young and emerging talent.
• Festival and event organisers.
• Sports promoters and administrators.

Proposals are welcome from all fields relevant to the main theme and sub-themes. The organisers are particularly interested in case studies, innovative approaches, and personal reflections on lived experiences within the creative economy. Contributions from diverse perspectives, including from practitioners, policymakers, and organisations working directly in the field are encouraged.

Co-authored and collaborative pieces are also welcome, lightning talks in under 10 minutes to be delivered in a TED style.

What should be included in the proposal?

• Papers and presentations: Abstracts (300 to 400 words) should outline how your work engages with the conference theme, the methodology used (such as data, case studies, or literature reviews), and key findings or insights.
• Panel discussions: Proposals for academic or popular panel discussions should include a short rationale (under 400 words), an abstract, and a brief outline of the speakers’ experience.
• “CRED” Lighting Talks: Short focused and engaging talks, in the style of a TED presentation on a core topic featuring moving and inspirational “creative, educational or design” orientated experiences from creative economy actors, responding to the theme. Share a short abstract of talk and five slides.

Accepted proposals will be notified within two to three weeks of submission. Selected papers may be considered for publication in a post-conference academic output. There will also be an option to submit papers of an appropriate standard to the international and peer-reviewed African Journal of Creative Economy (AJCE).

Contact Paula Holmes at paula.holmes@mandela.ac.za or email info@southafricanculturalobservatory.org.za on how to submit the proposal.

The submission deadline is 17 July 2025.

View the original call here.