The Arts and development rethinking the South African creative economy
Abstract
This research proposal outlines a project aimed at stimulating a research agenda on the topic of the arts and national development in South Africa and generating networks and collaboration around this nascent area of scholarship. This project is directed toward the broad spectrum of cultural activities that could be loosely described as the creative economy that informs the cultural economy.This project aims to initiate a process of exploration on the arts and to champion a deep reflection on our countrys diverse cultural landscape, including a structural consideration of the sector, as a means of moving arts and culture from the periphery to the centre of South Africa s national discourse. It is envisaged that there will be broad-ranging interaction with key thinkers, ideas and issues across the cultural spectrum to tap into the swell of human capital underpinning South Africa s universe of creative endeavour.
