Located in Accra, Ghana, LOATAD (Library Of Africa and The African Diaspora) is a library dedicated to championing and preserving the work of writers from Africa and the diaspora from the late 19th century to the present day. One of its flagship projects is the organisation of writing residencies aimed at writers of all levels from 16 West African countries.
The 2023 session will welcome a total of 12 writers split into one-month residency periods. A third of the places will be reserved for local Ghanaian writers, and women will represent half of participants, as will those aged under 35. During this residency, each writer will have to work on a written project set to be published at the end of the year.
The aim is to give writers the time, space and resources they need to work on a long-term project, thereby boosting their skills and confidence and, above all, helping them to create a network in the sphere of literature.
LOATAD Writing Residency Programme For West African Writers
LOATAD, located in Accra, hosts a library, archive and museum dedicated to the promotion and preservation of African and diaspora literature from the late 19th century to the present. This extensive collection includes approximately 4000 works by writers from 41 of the 54 African countries and black authors from Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean.
The "LOATAD" residency project will host 18 writers from 16 West African countries (including 6 under 35 years old, 6 Ghanaians, and 9 women), over a period of 12 months, for a one-month residency. The aim of the residency is to give the writers the time, space, resources and inspiration to work on a long-term writing project. Writers will have literary exchanges with each other and present their writing to a local audience.
The Art: A tool for sustainable job creation and promotion of tradition, culture and the SDGs
Act For Change is an NGO that uses interactive theatre, creative arts and other participatory methods to advocate for social issues affecting young people, women and children. Its mission is to bring about behavioural change and improve the quality of life of young people by empowering them through training and self-esteem building programmes.
The project aims to address the problem of unemployment and advocate for the creation of a sustainable city in Accra. In addition to launching the James Town Arts Festival platform (a contemporary art event) to promote art and cultural works to a wider population, the project plans to involve students in an art exhibition on the theme of "Sustainable Cities: Through my Eyes". Students from the selected schools will participate in creative art workshops led by professional artists.
"The Arts Bridge", Support for the professionalisation of the craft sector
The Arts Bridge project aims to preserve, professionalise and promote the work of weavers in the North-West of Ghana, a region where the local economy depends heavily on this craft. By seeking to collect and transmit this know-how, pool tools and design new patterns, The Arts Bridge hopes to professionalise the art of weaving and thereby protect the livelihoods of communities. A dedicated digital platform will present a database of contemporary craftsmen and artists, offer teaching modules and an online shop. These digital drivers will contribute to raising this Ghanaian craft tradition to the level of a world-renowned art.
Overview of expected productions
- registration of 3 weaving collectives with the World Crafts Council each year
- organisation of an annual weaving festival
- training of 5 master weavers (with more than 5 apprentices and more than 5 years experience). They will in turn train 50 weavers per year for two years
- hosting 5 contemporary artists in residence
Focus on Nubuke Foundation
Based in Accra since 2006, this NGO's mission is to promote, record and preserve the visual arts and culture of Ghana. Over the past 15 years, the Nubuke Foundation has propelled the careers of 150 contemporary artists. Based in Wa (North West Ghana) since 2010, it works to develop and enhance the tradition of tape weaving.
Michel nyarkotey Dorh
Having a television station is one of my ultimate dreams which I’m striving to achieve with determination and focus. I do shoot music videos and one of my biggest music video project is one which I shot for an international artist in Cameroon
King Buja
Being a musician wasn’t something I dreamt of but it caught up with me along the way of life and I couldn’t just escape it. I rather chose to embrace it and it’s now who I am, I just love who I am now and I know I shall reach the ultimate.
Fred Dodoo
Being in the movie industry is like a dream come true but attaining a peak of success in it will be a fulfilment. I am a young man with good physiques and very fit for the screens
Julius Pyreks dake
I am an entertainment television presenter, photomodel, writer, actor, entrepreneur and editor. I love to explore and being on screen is my way of evolving in life
Hitmakers Multimedia
Hitsmakers multimedia is a great media house which has many sub branches under it and is ever ready to push the entertainment to the final fullest
Nubuke Foundation
la Fondation Nubuke est une institution privée d'art visuel et culturelle à Accra,au Ghana.Fondée en 2006?elle sert de lien entre les arts et la culture à travers le pays tout en soutenant la pratique artistique des Ghanéens: jeunesen milieu de carrière et expérimentés.La programmation mation comprend des expositions,des conférences sur l'art,des séminaires,des ateliers et des espaces pour des collaborations théatrales,poétiques,musicales et cinématographiques.La fondation Nubuke est membre du Arts Collaboratory Network.