Welcome to the S+T+ARTS4AFRICA Academy!
In a world where the connections between science, technology, and art are increasingly proving their impact, a new realm of possibilities emerges. The convergence of these diverse domains offers opportunities for innovation, creativity, and collaborative exploration. Within this dynamic intersection, the S+T+ARTS movement finds new paths. With the project S+T+ARTS4AFRICA, we want to partner with change-makers in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as existing Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH), and together, we push for innovation on a regional level by facilitating the involvement of local and international artists with regional stakeholders (industry, regional authorities, SME, NGOs, startups, art institutions, etc) and promoting the concrete outcomes of these collaborations.
© During STARTS Day, at Ars Electronica Festival 2023. Session “AI for culture. What’s the missing link?”. Photo: Markus Schneeberger.
The S+T+ARTS (Science + Technology + Arts) initiative is more than an acronym; it’s a call to action. It invites scientists, technologists, artists, and creative minds from different fields to come together, blend their perspectives, and redefine the way we approach complex challenges. The goal? To create projects that resonate with both intellect and emotion, sparking imaginations, and shaping the future.
Over the next months, we invite all interested individuals and organisations to embark on a journey with us.
The S+T+ARTS4AFRICA Academy will provide resources, knowledge sharing and joint project development opportunities to African and European artists and innovators, as well as other stakeholders of the digital economy including the African Diaspora Communities, to allow them to better explore the relationship between art and science, get the knowledge about project management, fundraising, networking and more.
The Academy will be structured in webinars, trainings and coaching sessions. The first Academy activities will happen in November, through a series of webinars. All interested individuals are invited to follow STARTS4AFRICA activities by subscribing to the newsletter and keeping informed about the Academy activities and the participation conditions.
WEBINAR SERIES: “Navigating the Intersection of Science, Technology, and Art”
Our webinar series is dedicated to offering insights, inspiration, and practical guidance for those interested in forging their path in the world of S+T+ARTS collaboration.
The webinar series will be composed of 5 sessions:
Webinar 1 – 7 November 2023, 15:30 GMT+1
Topic: Needs Analysis – Different Approaches of Collaboration in the Intersection of Science, Technology, and Art
Free | Registration required here.
We’ll kick off by diving deep into the foundations. Understanding your stakeholders’ unique needs, desires, and challenges is paramount. We will explore methods, tools, and case studies to help you lay a strong foundation for your collaborative endeavors. Our guest will be Chris Emezue, who is a seasoned researcher committed to developing intelligent systems that can learn even in low-resource scenarios and are reliable. His research areas are natural language processing, causality, and reinforcement learning. As a dedicated contributor to the field of AfricaNLP, he has worked on several key projects to improve the representation of low-resource African language technologies and datasets. Furthermore, as an entrepreneur, Chris is building Lanfrica, a startup that aims to accelerate the development of AI applications in under-represented regions.
Webinar 2 – 14 November 2023, 15:30 GMT+1
Topic: S+T+ARTS – Good Practices Presentation (3 Concrete Projects Presentation)
Free | Registration required here.
To inspire and guide, we will showcase practical examples of successful projects. These are the stories of dreamers who became doers, exemplifying the magic that happens when science, technology, and art unite.
Webinar 3 – 9 January 2024, 15:30 GMT+1
Topic: Funding Opportunities – Regional Based Opportunities
Free | Registration required here.
Finance is the basis for the work to be done. We’ll talk about the funding landscape, including regional opportunities, helping you to search for the opportunities.
Webinar 4 – 28 November 2023, 15:30 GMT+1
Topic: S+T+ARTS Project Management – From Idea to Implementation
Free | Registration required here.
With the vision in place, we’ll guide you on the journey from idea to implementation. Effective project management is key in this dynamic, ever-evolving space. We’ll share tips and strategies to ensure your dreams become a tangible reality.
Webinar 5 – 5 December 2023, 15:30 GMT+1
Topic: Success Factors – Defining a Successful Project
Free | Registration required here.
The finish line is only the beginning. Together, we will explore what makes a project truly successful, covering criteria, impact evaluation, sustainability, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
If you need any additional information, please, write us at maja.drobne@pina.si
