SA: Bloemfontein next stop for SACO roadshow

The workshop series will also be held in Welkom, Paarl, Upington, Mafikeng, Vereeniging and Tzaneen. The workshops are in support of the creative and cultural industries and the research community working on arts, culture and heritage projects.

Initiated by the South African Department of Arts and Culture in 2014, SACO engages players on the socio-economic impact of the arts, culture and heritage sectors as well as the creative and cultural industries in South Africa.

“Bloemfontein is an important stop along our national tour of the country,” SACO deputy director of research and strategic engagement Njabulo Sithebe said. “Last year we completed a study on Macufe Festival which takes place every year in October and the Free State in general is becoming a major site for events and festivals, which generate revenue for the province and its cities and towns.

“Our domain workshop series is a critical part of stakeholder engagement to share the insights, trends, information and policy influencing South Africa’s creative economy and making a difference to creatives across South Africa.

“It’s vital that we reach across South Africa to share information and show those working in the arts, culture and heritage sectors and the creative and cultural industries how the SACO can support decision-making with good information.”

SACO, whose main purpose is the development of a comprehensive cultural information system such as the South African Festival Economic Impact Calculator, designed the workshops to inform creative practitioners, researchers and academics about its work. The workshops are also created to help SACO gain insight and feedback from the creative sectors on their priorities and concerns.

The events are open to all arts, culture and heritage sector stakeholders.