Arts and Culture Advisory Panel
The ACAP was brought together as a result of the Africa Centre's Envisioning Forum held on Friday, 2 March 2007. The panel consists of experienced and renowned arts practitioners and cultural promoters who have agreed to offer their voluntary advice and expertise to take the Africa Centre forward. With their combined talents, the ACAP members will assist in devising and forging an innovative and creative arts programming strategy that will directly inform the cultural vision of the future Africa Centre.
Chaired by Zina Saro-Wiwa, the Panel meets on a regular basis to review programming proposals put forward to the Africa Centre. If you have an exciting proposal that you think will work at the Africa Centre, we’ll be pleased to hear from you. Please bear in mind that to be considered your proposal must meet the following conditions:
- Be self-sufficient in funding. The Africa Centre will only make a small charge to cover overheads but we do not have sufficient resource to fund or support proposals in any other way.
- Meet the criteria of artistic innovation and creative excellence.
- Meet the objectives of the Africa Centre Charity and respect the spirit of its responsibilities to Africa and the African Diaspora.
All proposals must be sent to Sheila Ruiz (sheila@businessofulture.com), Communications Consultant for the Africa Centre and convener of ACAP.
Present members of the Arts and Culture Advisory Panel include:
Anisa Johnny
(Bookings Coordinator, Spitafields Venue)
Anisa Johnny is currently the Bookings Coordinator for Spitafields Venue. From running her own fashion label to arts programming, Anisa is an experienced London-based Arts promoter.
Audrey Brown
(BBC World Service Presenter & Producer)
Audrey Brown is a producer and presenter on Focus on Africa and Network Africa. She joined the BBC World Service in 2005, after gaining extensive experience in other media both in the UK and South Africa. Radio is her first love.
Dudu Sarr
(Music, Arts & Culture Promoter)
Dudu Sarr is a teacher, dj and original founder of Aduna. As a music specialist, Dudu curated the music for the very successful 'Africa Remix' multimedia exhibition and has done a lot for the African Music Scene in London.
Henry Bonsu
(Broadcaster & Director, Colorful Radio)
Henry is Broadcaster, producer and director of Colourlful radio. The first black talk radio station. Henry was also the presenter for Talking Africa -the Africa Centre's weekly radio show on Spectrum.
Koye Oyedeji
(Literature & Media Specialist / Journalist)
Koye is a Literature/Media Specialist & Journalist. He is currently a PhD student at SOAS and works for B3 Media.
Lizzy Attree
(Literature Specialist / SOAS PhD Student)
Lizzy is a literature expert completing her PhD at SOAS and is a Programme Manager for SABFest. She helped to coordinate the Africa Centre's very successful literature series, African Visions, alongside Peter Jenkins from 2002-2005 and co-managed the Reading Africa events for SABDET in 2004. She has also assisted with literary tours for Serpent's Tail in 2005-6 and taught African Literature at both BA & MA level at SOAS.
Michael Walling
(Artistic Director, Border Crossings)
Michael Walling is Artistic Director of Border Crossings, an innovative company which creates new intercultural, multi-media theatre in response to the contemporary globalized world. The company works across the borders between cultures and art forms, and between nations and peoples. Border Crossings has a particular interest in African theatre, having worked with artists from Ghana, Mauritius, the Seychelles and Zimbabwe.
Netsayi Chigwendere
(Musician)
Netsayi Chigwendere is a very successful Musician - a singer/songwriter, whose work takes her across the world. Netsayi's history with the Africa Centre takes her back to her childhood memories. Last year Netsayi released her debut album to great acclaim. She has since signed to powerhouse Dutch label World Connection and is currently touring nationally and internationally.
Onyekachi Wambu
(Communication and Advocacy Expert, AFFORD)Onyekachi Wambu is a dynamic communications and advocacy expert, who specializes on building bridges between the Continent and the Diaspora. Onyekachi Wambu is currently working with AFFORD as the Information Officer.
Paul Anderson
(Executive Director, UK Centre for Carnival Arts)
Paul Anderson is an experienced Arts practitioner, regeneration specialist and pan-africanist with impressive credentials in youth arts and community work. Paul is the Executive Director of the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, based in Luton, currently building UK's first dedicated carnival arts team and £6.8 Million Centre for Carnival Arts.
Tessa Watt
(Programme Director, Africa Beyond)
Tessa Watt is the Programme Director for Africa Beyond, the cultural program, which has carried forward the legacy of Africa '05. Africa Beyond's interests and focus are very close to those of the Africa Centre, which will bring fruitful cooperation between both organisations.
Zina Saro-Wiwa
(Arts & Culture Broadcaster)
Zina Saro-Wiwa is a writer, film-maker and arts & culture broadcaster. She has since 2004 been one of the presenters on weekly BBC2 programme The Culture Show; over the last 12 years, she's worked for BBC Radio 4, Radio 3 and the World Service as a producer, presenter and researcher; and she's been an adviser for the British Council's music unit.
Zina Saro-Wiwa also acts as the Africa Centre's Creative Consultant and heads up the Arts and Culture Advisory Panel.
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Scheduled meeting dates for ACAP in 2008 are as follows:
Wednesday 12 March
Wednesday 14 May
Wednesday 16 July
Wednesday 10 September
Wednesday 12 November
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