PACE 2023
6-9 July 2023
PACE 2023
The third Pan-African Creative Exchange took place at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, bringing together artists, presenters and arts professionals for four days of performance, exhibition, conversation and connection.
More than 30 productions and presentations represented artists from across the African continent, including Botswana, Namibia, Cameroon, Kenya, The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Nigeria, Morocco, Uganda, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Zimbabwe, alongside contributions from the African diaspora and the Nordic region. The programme spanned theatre, dance, music, visual art, spoken word and digital work, engaging with subjects including identity, social change, mental health, global culture, love, and D/deaf and disability experiences.
Centred on the theme of mobility within, with and from Africa, PACE 2023 created opportunities for artistic work, ideas and relationships to move across geographical and cultural boundaries. The programme also introduced the PACE–Nordic Initiative and drew attention to the importance of improving access to mobility and international exchange for African artists.
PACE 2023 was made possible through the support of the Vrystaat Arts Festival, the Royal Netherlands Embassy in South Africa, the University of the Free State, the Nordic Culture Fund, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, EUNIC partners, and the many artists, delegates and team members who contributed to the exchange.
PACE Strands
TOUR READY
The work is up to a 60-minute extract by professional artists and companies. Tour-Ready means that as a company/artist, you have experience of touring and have a product that is artistically and technically ready to share with promoters and which will be prepared to tour. Find out more here.
WORK IN PROGRESS
The presentation is up to a 45-minute original piece at a critical stage in its development (Work in Progress means that you as a company/artist have a product in development that is thought through and artistically is ready to share. Although in the initial stages and may need further development, your work is something you are committed to taking on further). View the work in progress here.
PITCHING SESSIONS
In these sessions, artists pitch ideas, platforms, concepts and works that can be in an early stage of development, work-in-progress, or tour-ready. View the pitching sessions here.
SPEED NETWORKING
Similar to Pitching sessions, artists have the opportunity to pitch in more informal and intimate settings. View the speed networking sessions here.
OTHER ENGAGEMENTS
WORKSHOPS & CONVERSATIONS
Events for delegates include discussions, workshops, networking sessions and morning meetings. Take a look at the sessions here.
ONLINE
Up to 60-minute extracts or complete professional works by artists and companies are accessible online on the PACE website. View the online sessions.
