NEFCISA
NEFCISA

The Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) is proud of its partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) as a Strategic Implementing Partner (SIP) for its Social Employment Fund (SEF). Through this collaboration, MIAF is running a national programme that is creating jobs, addressing skills gaps, and strengthening South Africa's creative industries — in line with the SEF's overarching goal to generate work for the common good and build community value through employment, social contribution, and inclusive economic participation. Operating under the banner NEFCISA (National Employment Facility for Creative Industries in South Africa), the initiative is recruiting and training participants, matching them with host organisations, and has already placed 1 500 workers across the country — surpassing its original target of 1 000. NEFCISA is delivered through a network of 20 host organisations spanning five provinces, who are actively hosting participants and contributing to work for the common good across South Africa's creative and cultural industries. Key Objectives: Support employment and entrepreneurship in the creative industries. Offer skills development and training programmes. Foster partnerships between public and private creative sectors. Promote South African creativity at both provincial and national levels Foster community development through social contribution.

ACCES
ACCES

ACCES Conference and Showcase Festival is Africa's leading music industry gathering, bringing together the people shaping the future of the continent's music business. Artists, entrepreneurs, executives, investors, policymakers and cultural leaders from across Africa and around the world come to ACCES to build partnerships, exchange ideas, discover talent and create new business opportunities. Since its launch in 2017, ACCES has become the continent's premier platform for professional exchange and music market development. Combining a high-level conference with a curated showcase festival, networking, exhibitions and industry programmes, ACCES offers a unique space where creativity meets business and where African music connects with the global industry.

Gender@Work
Gender@Work

Music In Africa Gender @ Work is a three-year training programme aimed at upskilling and increasing the participation of female professionals in the African music sector. Launched by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) in April 2019, the programme is connected to the MIAF’s ACCES music conference – a pan-African event held in a different African country every year. This connection enables the programme to reach new participants in a different African country every year. The programme marks the beginning of a more concerted effort by the Foundation to support the participation and inclusion of women in all facets of its programmes and the music sector in Africa as a whole. Over the three years, the programme will aim to address gender imbalances in the sector through training, lobbying, facilitating knowledge exchange and dialogues that foster the interest of women. The broader objectives of the programme are to: Provide industry training for women on critical music industry skills, focusing on: Stage management Electronic music production and recording Music business management Technical knowledge Provide an opportunity for both professional and aspiring women to benefit from the Music In Africa network and its broad range of activities in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Provide a solution-based platform in the form of a round table at ACCES with a view to identify challenges, discuss opportunities and lobby for the interests of female practitioners. Offer participants the opportunity to benefit from programmes offered by MIAF’s partners. Increase access to educational materials. Integrate participants in the broader ACCES programme to maximise experience and exposure to the industry. Record and present training materials on the www.musicinafrica.net, including but not limited to tutorials, templates and other best-practice materials. Communicate women-based themes that support the initiatives and messages of the programme. MAIN TRAINING ACTIVITIES Training in first country (Ghana): In the first year, participants will be trained on all aspects of stage management by a team of experienced stage managers from 10 to 17 November 2019. The programme will offer robust classroom training as well as practical, hands-on training in which participants will also be given the opportunity to manage various aspects of the ACCES performance programme. Training in second country: The second training iteration will take place at ACCES 2020 when the programme will diversify its course to include music production lessons and training on other music business topics. A round-table platform will also be introduced to coincide with the ACCES programme. Training in third country: The third training iteration will take place at ACCES 2021 in a different country, offering an advanced course. HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?  As a participant, facilitator or trainer: The programme enrolls up to 12 trainees every year. All opportunities are advertised publicly on this website, and will be added to this page. Please keep checking this page for new calls (below under UPDATES & CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES). As a partner Please contact Claire Metais at [email protected]. APPLY The call for applications for 2020 will be announced soon. The Music In Africa Gender @ Work programme is made possible with the support of the Prince Claus Fund, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Sound Connects Fund
Sound Connects Fund

For cultural and creative practitioners and organisations operating in southern Africa, access to funding remains a major challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a massive impact on government policy, spending and the economy in general, and has seen spending on culture being moved further down the list of priorities. Further, the cultural and creative industries repeatedly cite four main areas where investment is needed for growth, which are increased visibility, mobility including access to new markets, finance and support structures.

Instrument Building And Repair Project
Instrument Building And Repair Project

Experience the Vibrations African Instruments Exhibition online in 3D

Reviews

Timitar 2024: Three nights of pure magic in Agadir

16 Jul 2024 - 13:21

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For three nights, from 4 to 6 July 2024, the city of Agadir in Morocco pulsed to the enchanting rhythm of the Timitar Festival. Under the inspired direction of Brahim El Mazned, this unmissable event once again dazzled its spectators. For three magical evenings, music lovers were transported by 40 unforgettable concerts, navigating a sea of rhythms ranging from classical Arabic to raï, jazz and even new Moroccan music.

Music lovers enjoy a performance at the Timitar Festival 2024.

A tribute to Amazigh music

The strong presence of Amazigh artists was the beating heart of this edition, honouring Moroccan musical heritage and embodying the very essence of Timitar. Amazigh culture, rich in history and traditions, is a fundamental pillar of Moroccan identity. Its music, both vibrant and melodious, tells stories of courage, struggle, love, and the daily life of the Amazigh people. Traditional instruments like the ribab and the drum, as well as folk dances, are living witnesses to a heritage that continues to captivate and inspire.

The Timitar Festival embodies this beautiful culture by creating a space where Amazigh music and world music meet and converse. It is a celebration of cultural diversity and richness, where artists can share their stories and traditions with an enthusiastic and curious audience. The residents of Agadir, along with many tourists from across Morocco and beyond, flocked in large numbers to celebrate this musical diversity, moving safely from concert to concert.

A symphony of lights and sounds at Place Al Amal

Place Al Amal, illuminated by a thousand lights and adorned with splendid luminous installations, hosted spectacular performances that enchanted the audience. The captivating melodies of Hamid Inerzaf opened the evening with hypnotic softness, while Dystinct electrified the audience with his catchy rhythms. The legendary Moroccan group Oudaden recalled ancestral musical traditions with timeless energy, immersing spectators in a sea of enchanting sounds from the Souss.

Douzi delivered an extraordinary performance, making his concert one of the most anticipated moments of the festival. His boundless energy and vibrant scenographies captivated the audience, who sang along to his global hits. Egyptian artist Abu, with his charisma and warm voice, lit up the stage with his famous hit ‘3 Daqatt’, creating a festive and unforgettable moment, filling the air with collective euphoria.

Brilliant participation of West African artists

The Timitar Festival also shone with its cultural diversity thanks to the exceptional participation of West African artists. The Ivorian dance company Aaninka brilliantly contributed to the event’s opening with a spectacular parade, blending traditional and contemporary dance in a symphony of graceful and powerful movements. Their performance, marked by flamboyant costumes and contagious energy, immediately captivated the audience, announcing a colourful start to the festival.

The Togolese stilt walkers of the Nunana company also dazzled spectators with their impressive acrobatic numbers. These artists, perched on high stilts, executed complex and majestic choreographies, defying gravity with disconcerting ease. Their imposing and magnificent art added a magical dimension to the event, illustrating the richness and diversity of African traditions. Their performances continued to enchant the audience on Saturday, demonstrating the universality of art and culture at Timitar.

The new Moroccan scene in the spotlight

On the stage of Place Bijouane, the new scene shone brightly thanks to the performances of Hasba Groove, Meteor Airlines, Tasuta N-Imal, Ribab Fusion, Ali Imrane, VJ Radeem, DJ Valava, and DJ NDRK. These young talents infused positive energy and musical freedom that captivated the audience, offering diverse and innovative soundscapes.

Intense emotions at the Agadir Green Theatre

The Green Theatre was the setting for moments of intense emotion. The captivating voice of Faia Younan and the exceptional repertoire of Moroccan diva Oum transported spectators into a musical trance. Oum, with her grace and vocal power, offered a journey through sublime melodies, rooted in tradition and open to the world. They were preceded by Amazigh artists Rways, Khadija Atlas, Fatima Tachtoukt and Jubantouja, who made the theatre vibrate with their contemporary and traditional rhythms.

Unprecedented and unforgettable performances

The Green Theatre also hosted the unprecedented trio Imed Alibi, Kel Assouf and Justin Adams, who delivered a masterful show, merging their talents to offer a breathtaking performance. Additionally, the stage was graced by the Cesaria Evora Orchestra, paying a vibrant tribute to the barefoot diva and enchanting the audience with melodies filled with nostalgia and beauty.

A collective and lasting success

Timitar is certainly the largest festival in Africa, and this year, Brahim once again achieved his goal of creating moments of happiness, communion and lasting memories. This success is also the result of the dedicated involvement of Agadir’s residents, volunteers, sponsors, and the unwavering support of institutional actors and local authorities. Together, for the 19th time, they realised an edition of the Timitar Festival that was popular, democratic, rich in emotions and discoveries, leaving imperishable memories in everyone's hearts.

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