The 2020 edition of the Pan-African Creative Exchange (#PACE) will run from the 25th to the 29th of August. PACE is a three-day showcase for the interdisciplinary arts in South Africa showcasing artists based in Africa.

The platform is an initiative of the Vrystaat Arts Festival, is a four day, biennial arts market/ provocation for the interdisciplinary arts in Africa. PACE is a platform to showcase the highest quality productions from Africa to national and international presenters, producers, buyers, artists and the general public.  

The Pan-African Creative Exchange is a platform for the following creatives: Venue Managers – national and international, Artistic Directors, Promoters, Producers, Festival Organisers, Funders, Development Agencies, Policymakers, Critics, Artists, Academia and International peers.

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There are eight aspects to PACE including presenting full shows for tour-ready work; showcasing excerpts of tour-ready work; showcasing excerpts of work in progress; pitching new work; producers shadowing and exchange program; workshops and critical debate/round table sessions; networking programs; and key PACE events.

PACE OFFERS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVES

• Opportunities to network internationally and, in particular, grow networks across the African continent
• Raise the profile of African artists and their innovative, cutting-edge work on the world stage
• Engage in dialogue and critical debate, raising awareness of the context of African creative works and African artists
• Develop artistic partnerships
• Broaden opportunities for African artists internationally through touring, co-producing and artistic collaborations
• Enable international funders, promoters and presenters to share policy and practice

PACE Entangled will include showcases focusing on excerpts of tour-ready work and work in progress, new work pitches, a producer’s lab, critical debate/round-table discussion sessions, networking programmes, speed dating and spotlighting of programs, performances and initiatives happening online prior and during PACE Entangled.

PACE was developed in response to recent data indicating that the creative industries in Africa contribute less than 1% to the global creative economy. 1. As increased access to and participation in culture can be linked to an increase in human development, Africa must shift its focus to support more innovative cultural programs that can creatively transform its society. 2. Culture has also been embedded in several of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals, which further assist cultural visibility from Africa. 3.

Examples of other successful performing arts markets include Decibel Performing Arts Showcase in the UK, Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM), Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) & Informal European Theatre Meeting (IETM), Performa NYC, International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) Showcase, and the British Council Showcase.