The British Council, in partnership with Pawstudios Africa, is igniting a cultural revolution across Africa with the launch of the Festival Management Residency Programme 2024. This groundbreaking initiative aims to empower festival organisers with the tools, resources and global best practices needed to create world-class cultural experiences.
From November 19 to 24, a hybrid programme will be delivered, combining a Virtual Festival Management Residency and a Live Convening hosted by Lagos Fringe. This comprehensive Festival Management Residency Programme 2024 approach brings together festival organisers from across the globe to facilitate knowledge-sharing and foster dynamic connections, helping participants gain cutting-edge skills, expand their networks and learn from top industry leaders in festival management.
With this programme, the British Council is supporting festival organisers by providing expert-led training on festival models and management, sustainability and funding, and mobility and connectivity. The Festival Management Residency Programme includes workshops led by notable facilitators, including Dr. Ismail Mahomed, Brenda Fashugba, and Ojoma Ochai, who will equip festival managers with professional skills and global insights to help their events thrive.
“Festival Management Residency Programme is about supporting Africa’s cultural leaders with the skills, expertise, and networks they need to create lasting impact and foster artistic innovation,” said Kenneth Uphopho, Director at Pawstudios Africa. “Through our partnership with the British Council, we’re providing a platform that empowers festival organisers with the tools to professionalise and sustain their events.”
A central focus of the Festival Management Residency Programme is connecting festivals and bridging cultures by creating spaces for cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration. The Live Convening at Lagos Fringe will bring together festival managers from Africa and beyond, encouraging a dynamic exchange of ideas and fostering cultural bridges through artistic expression. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, mentors, and peers from around the world, expanding their professional networks and inspiring new approaches to festival programming.
Festival Management Residency Programme 2024 is committed to promoting collaboration and creativity across the African festival landscape. By uniting African and international festivals, the British Council is supporting creative exchange and inspiring new narratives and partnerships. The programme’s long-term goals include developing an SSA Festivals Collective and a Festival Directory, enabling festival managers to maintain connections and explore collaborative opportunities beyond Lagos Fringe.
“This initiative is about more than building individual skills; it’s about building a collaborative community of festival managers across Africa who can inspire and support one another,” said Tope Sanni, Head of Operations at Pawstudios Africa. “The Festival Management Residency Programme, with the support of the British Council, is an opportunity to ignite creativity, build partnerships, and shape the future of African arts and culture.”
The British Council’s Festival Management Residency Programme is a visionary three-year initiative designed to connect festivals and creative organisations across the UK, Africa, and beyond. Running from May 2024 to March 2027, the Festival Management Residency Programme aims to create collaborative spaces where festival leaders can network, share insights, and develop new ideas. Through a series of gatherings, the initiative fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the exchange of new artistic ideas, supporting sustainable and inclusive ecosystems within the creative economy. In alignment with these goals, the British Council’s Festival Connect Fund provides grants to African festivals, enabling them to increase access to international artists, embrace experimentation, and support the showcasing of diverse artistic expressions.
Pawstudios Africa is a pioneering creative and innovation hub dedicated to elevating African storytelling through innovative arts and culture programs. Based in Lagos, Pawstudios is committed to producing impactful arts festivals, theatrical productions, and training initiatives that empower the next generation of African creatives. As the lead delivery partner for the Festival Gathering, Pawstudios Africa collaborates with local and international partners to create inclusive, world-class platforms for African artists and cultural leaders to connect, innovate, and thrive.
•Featured image: Lagos Fringe Festival Director Kenneth Uphopho performing as prison warder in his stage play ‘Esther’s Revenge’ in the UK early this year
