How can culture open up new perspectives?
How can culture open up new perspectives?
Societies are becoming increasingly polarized, although they need to foster communication and cooperation. Since art has repeatedly motivated us to work along the fault lines of society, we firmly believe that confident cultural scenes have a decisive influence on sustainable development. Artists create spaces and spark debates in which a society communicates about itself and its future. This is why we stand up for art that experiments and forges links. Together with our partners, we try out new forms of community and make people curious about how art follows its own rules.
Social cohesion: promoting a stronger community spirit
Art creates an experience of participation and belonging along lines of social conflict. Cultural projects and initiatives that we launch together with local partners raise awareness of community spirit in societies that are drifting apart.
Cultural diversity: promoting sensitivity toward social exclusion
An open society requires people to be mindful and accept diversity. With gender equality projects and interactive artworks, we are opening the door to art that makes diversity a tangible experience and gives society the space to address its polyphonic nature in a playful way and without shirking controversy.
Sustainable creation of art: promoting sustainability across the board
We all need to act with sustainability in mind, but the journey there will be a long one. Our cultural initiatives tackle the question of what is standing in the way of sustainable behavior, in both society and art. This work is enabling us to strengthen art’s role as an agent of sustainable action.
We perceive our cultural work as transnational learning communities and are committed to co-creation and networking across borders. This includes promoting dialog and collaboration between different cultural scenes with artistic interventions in cities and online as well as platforms for shared learning and working. In Africa, our focus is on music, while the emphasis is on performing arts in Latin America.
Working together with partners including national and international cultural institutions, universities, and government ministries, we develop projects that draw on their local context.
Press releases and news
Arts & Cultur | 22 March 2023
Music In Africa celebrates 10 years – African Music Days Munich at Muffatwerk, May 24 and 25, 2023
Eight bands from eight African countries can be seen on the Muffatwerk stages on May 24 and 25, 2023, in Munich. From Afrobeat, hip-hop, futuristic punk to brand new sounds and African mysticism, everything is represented at this festival.
Arts & Cultur | 28 October 2022
Strong program at the pan-African music conference ACCES
From November 24-26, the Music In Africa Conference or Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases will take place for the fifth time. The 2022 program features presentations, panel discussions, live performances, workshops, networking activities, exhibitions and awards.
Background stories & interviews
Arts & Cultur | May 2020
“Journal Rappé:” Social criticism wrapped in hip-hop
Arts & Cultur | January 2020
How Music In Africa is changing the music landscape
After launching in 2013, the Music In Africa Foundation and its musicinafrica.net online portal have become permanent parts of African music. An interview with Aisha Deme (Senegal) and Serge Maboma (Cameroon).
Project websites
Music In Africa
The Music In Africa platform unites the creative potential of all 54 African countries, providing detailed information on the music scene across the whole continent, numerous networking and training opportunities, and free music and videos to stream.
CHANGING PLACES / ESPACIOS REVELADOS Lima, Peru
Artists are illustrating new perspectives in unused spaces in the city of Lima and are asking how, particularly in the age of pandemic-induced contact restrictions, art is capable of creating a shared public space. New artworks are being produced every month between November 2021 and March 2022.
SITIO INESPECIFICO
Amid pandemic lockdowns, how can art find its place in imagined spaces? On the online platform SITIO INESPECIFICO (Unspecified Place), Latin American artists present digital works that open the door to artistic encounters beyond physical spaces.
Dr. Nina Smidt
nina.smidt@siemens-stiftung.org
+49 89 540487 0
