Call for West Africa Project Proposals

The Regional Fund for the Promotion of Cooperation and Cultural Exchange in West Africa is calling for a project proposal for the following activities:

• cross cutting or multidisciplinary activities: this domain involves development of multidisciplinary professional organisations, training on cultural related jobs, the development of multidisciplinary cultural centres, and the promotion of cultural tourism
• applied and visual arts
• music and theatre
• literature
• cultural heritage
• films (production/distribution of documentary films related to arts and West African Culture)

The guidelines in French, English and Portuguese are available on the following web site .

UK Visa Woes for African Artists

Just when we thought it was safe to go back into the (Thames) water, more complications arise from the UK Visa system, especially for African artists. As there are few consulates in many African countries, many artists have to travel to another neighboring nation just to be fingerprinted. The £200 fee obviously doesn’t cover the cost of airfare or tour expenses, so these already struggling artists usually have to cancel their shows. Read about Konono No 1’s struggle, as well as others, to get to London.