Latest news with #creativeeconomy
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Social Development Bank supports local creatives through art initiative
Saudi Arabia's Social Development Bank has launched the Art Bank 7 event as part of the second phase of the Art Bank initiative, which invites a wide range of Saudi visual artists and independent creators to showcase their work and compete for acquisition contracts. This program not only enriches the nation's cultural landscape but also strengthens the creative economy by integrating original artworks into seven major bank branches across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. Jointly managed by the bank and the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, the initiative highlights the Kingdom's dedication to nurturing creative industries and aligns with the Ministry of Culture's Year of Handicrafts campaign, which celebrates traditional craftsmanship and empowers artisans. Sultan Al-Hamidi, the bank's CEO, reaffirmed the institution's dedication to developing the cultural and creative sectors across three core categories: fine art, handicrafts, and textiles. He emphasized the importance of institutional collaborations for lasting impact and highlighted the bank's focus on nurturing domestic talent through professional exhibition and acquisition platforms, ensuring the economic viability of artists and craftspeople while enhancing their cultural influence both locally and internationally. Khaled Al-Baz, the society's CEO, said that the program advances the organization's mission to strengthen the national creative sector and position Saudi artistic expression as a vital part of the cultural identity, thereby supporting creative economic growth and sustainable development goals. The first phase of the initiative was launched in 2024, bringing together painters, craftsmen, craftswomen, textile artists, and designers to celebrate Saudi identity by decorating the bank's Riyadh headquarters with striking artwork that reflects local heritage and culture.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Social Development Bank launches the second phase of the "Art Bank" initiative
Riyadh - The Social Development Bank (SDB) launched the "Art Bank 7" event as part of the second phase of the Art Bank initiative. In line with Vision 2030, the event has been launched to empower Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing community of gifted artists and creators to fulfil their potential. Shining a light on Saudi creative talent, including visual artists and freelancers, the unique platform showcases the rich diversity of Saudi artistry, exhibiting the innovative work of participating artists while offering access to a range of networking and professional opportunities. Crucially, the event will give participants the chance to compete for a selection of prizes and sell their work, with SDB committing to purchasing a selection of displayed pieces. Ultimately, the launch of "Art Bank 7" marks the latest step taken by SDB to invest in the growth and ongoing development of the Kingdom's creative economy. Established by SDB and the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, the Art Bank initiative has been instrumental in raising the profile of homegrown artists and artisans. The first phase of the initiative was launched in 2024, bringing painters, craftsmen, craftswomen and textile artists and designers together to celebrate Saudi identity by decorating SDB's Riyadh headquarters with striking artwork that holds up a mirror to local heritage and culture. The second phase of the initiative will see SDB bank branches across seven of the Kingdom's major cities brought to life with stunning art pieces that call attention to Saudi Arabia's proud history and traditions, underlining the importance of arts and crafts to local communities and public spaces. The Art Bank initiative is in keeping with and builds on ongoing efforts to celebrate and promote the Kingdom's cultural identity, enhancing the status of Saudi artists by enabling them to market their works professionally through a specialized digital platform: one that supports artists to explore three main creative paths – painting, crafts and textiles. The initiative is in line with the directives of the wise leadership which emphasizes the need to create a robust infrastructure and thriving ecosystem for the creative industries. Raising greater awareness of Saudi artistry and ingenuity, the initiative is fully geared towards realizing the goals of the "Year of Handicrafts 2025", which was launched by the Ministry of Culture to celebrate Saudi craft heritage and empower its practitioners. Eng. Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Hamidi, CEO, Social Development Bank, said: "We are proud of our partnership with the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts. We believe that supporting artistic creativity is vital to realizing Saudi Arabia's social and economic potential. Through the Art Bank initiative, we aim to empower people across the Kingdom to embrace and explore their passion for creativity, while equipping artists and artisans with the resources and support to exhibit and market their work. This is incredibly important to preserve our artistic heritage, celebrating our culture and raising Saudi Arabia's status on the global stage as a thriving hub of creative excellence.' Khaled Al-Baz, CEO, Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, said: 'This initiative comes as an extension of the Society's vision of highlighting Saudi artists and arts as an essential component of national identity. We believe that enabling artists, craftsmen and craftswomen to market their work contributes to strengthening the creative economy and achieving sustainable development. The Social Development Bank has played a pioneering role in empowering creative people through the Art Bank initiative, which now stands apart as a truly impactful source of support for Saudi talent. Since 2022, the "Art Bank" platform has served as an innovative digital incubator for Saudi artists and freelancers. The platform has also provided valuable support, empowering artists by marketing their work in accordance with the needs of government and private agencies. To date, the initiative has supported more than 700 Saudi artists and craftsmen and craftswomen. The development of the platform reiterates SDB's commitment to linking artistic creativity to the labor market and enhancing cultural mobility across Saudi society.
Zawya
11-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
French and South African creative industries in the spotlight at ICC Forum 2025
French and South African leaders from the creative economy recently gathered in Pretoria for the ICC Forum 2025, a flagship event of the ICC Immersion South Africa programme, hosted at the French Residence in Pretoria. Part of the France 2030 initiative and implemented locally by the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Business France South Africa and Southern Africa, the ICC Forum provided a high-level platform for collaboration, innovation, and exchange between cultural and creative industry (CCI) professionals across both countries. Welcoming the delegation, His Excellency Mr David Martinon, French Ambassador to South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, emphasised France's ongoing commitment to cultural diplomacy and the shared potential of the creative industries to drive innovation, sustainability, and social impact. 'ICC Immersion in South Africa is more than a showcase of French creativity — it's a catalyst for long-term collaboration between French companies and South African partners. This forum marks the beginning of concrete joint ventures in fields such as digital arts, sustainable fashion, immersive heritage, and music innovation. These creative industries are drivers of economic opportunity, social transformation, and deeper mutual understanding.', said Ambassador Martinon. The Forum provided an opportunity for the ICC Immersion South Africa 2025 delegates to showcase their respective companies and offerings: ALLEGRIA – Creators of 'Château Merveilles', an immersive VVIP dining experience combining two cultures while showcasing the French Art de Vivre. Get ready for an unforgettable dinner in the famous Louvre museum or Palace of Versailles Atrack (Beam for Music) – helps artists and music publishers optimise royalty tracking and revenue recovery through advanced technology and data visualisation tools. Agence Culturelle PLUS (Reunion Island) – a cultural think tank facilitating dialogue between arts, heritage, and people, while revitalising traditional mediation tools through site-specific projects and festivals. Culturespaces – manages 14 renowned cultural and heritage sites including the Atelier des Lumières in Paris, offering immersive exhibitions and audiovisual experiences across France and abroad. Fabrik & Moi (Reunion Island) – a high-end fashion brand focused on ethical and sustainable textile innovation, with a CSR-led project that transforms used fabrics into luxury pieces—featured most recently at Paris Fashion Week. France Muséums Développement – provides strategic consulting for major museum projects globally, leveraging the expertise of leading French museums to foster cultural impact and audience engagement. Jakob + MacFarlane – a cutting-edge architecture and urban design firm known for socially committed, environmentally innovative projects across sectors—from museums and theatres to housing and research labs. Memorist – brings together five French heritage firms to offer services in conservation, restoration, digitisation, and promotion of tangible and intangible cultural assets worldwide. SoundBirth – the first French startup to deliver an all-in-one mobile platform for artists, combining global music distribution, social media promotion, and AI-powered career support. Exploring the future of culture, design, and innovation Over the course of the day, a series of dynamic panel discussions also unpacked key issues shaping the future of the creative sector — from green design and digital innovation, to inclusive cultural institutions and urban tourism development through heritage. Highlights included: Driving Innovation: Start-Up Culture in CCI Moderated by creative entrepreneur and CEO of Chocolate Tribe, Nosipho Maketo-Van den Bragt, this session spotlighted the role of technology and entrepreneurship in reshaping music, media, and content platforms. Speakers included Maxime Marmoz (SoundBirth), Joy Mawela (Tshimologong Digital Content Hub), Jimmy Muteba (Moodswing) and Thomas Zandrowicz (Beam for Music). Green Design Futures A forward-thinking dialogue on sustainable design and ethical creativity across architecture, fashion, and the arts. Moderated by Eben Keun (Breinstorm Brand Architects), the panel featured Brendan McFarlane (Jakob + MacFarlane), Carline Grunfelder (Fabrik & Moi), Juliet Kavishe (Pan Afrikan Design Institute) and Eduardo Cachucho (Pro Helvetia Johannesburg). Cultural Institutions: Designing for Inclusion and New Publics Chaired by artist and curator Siwa Mgoboza, this session explored how institutions are becoming more accessible, innovative, and audience-focused. Contributions came from Caryn Green (Sibikwa Arts Centre), Simon Eyriès (Culturespaces) and Tanguy Sévat-Denuet (Agence culturelle PLUS). Shaping the Cultural Economy: Heritage & Events as Drivers of Urban Development Moderated by Avril Joffe (Associate Researcher Wits University, UNESCO Chair in Cultural Entrepreneurship and Policy), this panel showcased how cities can leverage culture for sustainable growth. Speakers included Beth Arendse (SA Creative Industries Incubator), Isabel Lecea (Memorist) and Claudie Bonavita (France Muséums). The Forum formed part of a 10-day immersion programme in South Africa for the visiting French delegation — comprised of leading creative companies across fashion, architecture, tech, heritage, and event production — as part of the broader ICC Immersion 2025 programme. The ICC Immersion South Africa programme began in April 2025 with an online immersion phase featuring market insight sessions and expert-led discussions. From 23 June to 2 July 2025, participants took part in a 10-day physical immersion across Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town, including B2B meetings, site visits, and high-level networking events. Copyright © 2022 - All materials can be used freely, indicating the origin Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Arab youth and the promise of the creative economy
For decades, the Arab world's economic narrative was dominated by hydrocarbons, with oil and gas shaping everything from cultural vision to foreign relations. More recently, the promise of artificial intelligence and digital transformation has captured the imagination of policymakers. But there is a quieter revolution underway that could prove just as pivotal for the region's future: the rise of the creative economy, driven by the energy and imagination of the Arab youth. The creative economy — encompassing art, music, dance, photography, film and entertainment — has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, generating annual revenues of $2.25 trillion and employing 30 million people, according to UNESCO. For a region where nearly two-thirds of the population is under the age of 30, the creative industries potentially offer not just jobs but a sense of purpose and identity. They can nurture talent, spur innovation and provide a promising path to economic diversification as the world accelerates its transition to a low-carbon future. At the heart of this potential transformation are the Arab world's young people — tech-savvy, globally connected and eager for change. They are not content to be mere consumers of culture, they want to be its creators and curators. The explosion of local music scenes in Egypt, Lebanon and the Gulf, the rise of Arab rappers and DJs blending traditional sounds with global genres, and the growing popularity of regional film and photography festivals all point to an emerging creative renaissance. Initiatives like the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, which provides grants to musicians, producers and cultural organizations across the Arab world, demonstrate the appetite for creative expression and the potential for regional collaboration. Since its inception, the fund has supported a wide range of projects, from music and cinema to visual and performing arts, helping to break down barriers and amplify Arab voices on the global stage. However, realizing the full potential of this youth dividend requires more than just funding. It calls for a mindset that values creativity as much as technical skills and that sees culture as a driver of innovation and economic growth. Policymakers must prioritize arts education, protect intellectual property rights and create platforms for young talent to showcase their work. They must also address challenges ranging from weak infrastructure to limited access to funding that hold back the sector's growth. Some Arab countries have already begun to recognize the strategic importance of the creative sector. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Gulf states, whose governments have spent billions of dollars on developing cultural infrastructure in the form of museums, opera houses, exhibition spaces and music venues, hosting international festivals, and supporting homegrown artists. The Arab youth are not content to be mere consumers of culture, they want to be its creators and curators. Arnab Neil Sengupta Saudi Arabia has pulled out all the stops to position itself as a global entertainment hub, opening its doors to both international and local talent. The Kingdom's support for music, film and live events has created a vibrant cultural scene, attracting global players who are now investing in discovering and promoting Arab artists. This influx of capital and expertise is not only creating jobs but also elevating the region's cultural output to international standards. The UAE has committed more than 30 billion dirhams ($8.1 billion) to a decade-long strategy to boost its creative industries. The establishment of the Creative Media Authority is just one part of this vision, aiming to unify various creative sectors into a vibrant ecosystem and nurture emerging fields like gaming and e-sports. Meanwhile, Qatar has established itself as a regional leader in the creative economy, with its cultural and creative industries contributing 20 billion riyals ($5.4 billion) in 2021 — about 2 percent of its gross domestic product — and more than a third of university graduates specializing in creative fields. These three Gulf governments are using a mix of world-class infrastructure, robust policy support and targeted incentives to build an environment where young talent in art, music and entertainment can thrive and contribute substantially to economic growth. The Gulf region's approach offers valuable lessons for other Arab countries, many of which remain heavily reliant on hydrocarbons or are betting exclusively on AI and tech. While digital transformation is essential, it need not come at the expense of human creativity, a resource as renewable as it is underutilized. By investing in the creative economy, Middle Eastern and North African countries can diversify their revenue streams, promote social cohesion and project a positive image of the region to the world. For the Arab world, the benefits of a thriving creative economy go beyond dollars and jobs. In a region often defined by conflict and crisis, the arts offer a means of healing, dialogue and self-expression. They help societies process trauma, challenge stereotypes and contemplate alternative futures. For young Arab people, in particular, the creative industries provide a chance to tell their own stories on their own terms. To sum up, the time has come for Arab governments, businesses and communities to recognize the creative economy not as an afterthought but as a strategic asset. The Gulf states' investments offer a template for the rest of the Arab world, but the real engine of change will be the region's youth. If given the resources, trust and freedom to create, they could transform not just their own lives, but the future of the Arab world itself.
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UNDP launches creative-tech incubator for early-stage African founders
Programme to support 20–30 entrepreneurs from 10 African countries. A new virtual incubation programme backed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UVU Africa has opened applications for early-stage creative entrepreneurs across the continent. The six-week Timbuktoo Creative Hub Ideation Incubation Programme will offer structured support to help participants validate ideas, build business skills, and prepare for investment and market entry. It is set to begin in July 2025. Ten countries targeted The programme will select 20–30 entrepreneurs from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Zambia. It targets individuals aged 18–35, particularly those at the ideation or early business stage, and encourages women-led ventures to apply. Workshops will cover topics including entrepreneurial thinking, market research, branding, financial literacy, and pitching. Participants will also receive mentorship, peer networking opportunities, and access to a final demo day with potential investors. Creative economy focus The initiative is part of the UNDP's broader Timbuktoo platform, a pan-African effort aimed at investing in youth-led startups across key economic sectors. The Creative Hub is one of ten planned sector-specific hubs. According to Maxwell Gomera, UNDP South Africa resident representative, the programme seeks to position the creative economy as a driver of cultural preservation and inclusive growth. 'When imagination meets structured support and global market access, we don't just preserve culture — we export it, scale it, and build sustainable economies around it,' Gomera said. Applications now open The initiative is open to founders working in fields such as: - Audio-visual production - Music and live performance - Design (including graphic, fashion, industrial, architecture) - Multi-media - Cultural and natural heritage preservation All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
