Call for Entry: World Heritage Futures Lab: Southern & Eastern Africa Edition
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Are you a creative technologist based in Southern or Eastern Africa?
Are you interested in using extended reality (XR) technology like virtual reality or augmented reality to develop new narratives on World Heritage sites in Southern and Eastern Africa?
Electric South, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) invite you to apply and participate in the new World Heritage Futures Lab: Southern and Eastern Africa Edition.
What will the Lab entail?
The “World Heritage Futures Lab: Southern and Eastern Africa Edition” has been conceived as part of “The Next 50”, a year-long interdisciplinary reflection on the future of World Heritage organized in the context of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The aim of the project is to ensure an increased appreciation and understanding of the rich World Heritage in Southern and Eastern Africa. It will harness XR technology to develop and disseminate new narratives, and engage digital content and products on World Heritage sites in the two regions.
We are looking for creative technologists from each of the eligible countries: Botswana, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe to participate in a 3-day ideas development lab in Windhoek, Namibia, in January, 2023. The creative technologists will work with community representatives living in and around World Heritage sites selected by Electric South and UNESCO.
The lab will enhance participants’ capacities in immersive digital technologies, key principles of UNESCO World Heritage Convention and interpretation of World Heritage values in Southern and Eastern Africa.
The project will continue in 2023 to provide production funding and exhibition opportunities for innovative immersive media content around Southern and Eastern African World Heritage, subject to further funding.
Dates & Deadlines
Interested participants with the outlined qualifications should submit their application no later than Wednesday, November 16, 2022 by 23h59 SAST.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome by November 30, 2022.
Successful applicants will be expected to participate in the residential lab to in Windhoek, Namibia from Tuesday, January 24 — Saturday, January 28, 2023.
All flights, accommodation, meals, visa costs and ground transport costs are covered by the programme.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be citizens or residents of Botswana, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
We particularly encourage applicants from identities that have been historically under supported or underrepresented within the fields of heritage, art and technology to apply, including those who are disabled, women, youth, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and others.
FAQ
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for creative technologists from each of the eligible countries.
In particular we are looking for creative technologists, immersive media artists and/or developers who have experience using and creating extended reality (XR) projects that utilise the medium for innovative and creative storytelling.
Applicants will be selected based on their creative and digital skills, as well as their commitment to explore and develop new narratives about Southern and Eastern African World Heritage through immersive technologies.
What happens after the Lab?
Electric South offers a menu of support for our alumni, which may include production support, creative and technical consultation, mentorship, industry networking, equipment loans, distribution, and more. Past artists have gone on to produce immersive work, and many continue to explore emerging and immersive media in their current practice.
Subject to funding, this project will continue in 2023 to provide production funding and exhibition opportunities for innovative immersive media content around Southern and Eastern African World Heritage.
Where can I find out more about this industry?
You can sign up for our newsletter and follow us at @electric_south on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Medium. We regularly post opportunities for artists in Africa, as well as updates about the creative technology landscape.
Have more questions? Contact info@electricsouth.org
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About the Partners
The World Heritage Futures Lab: Southern and Eastern African Edition is proudly presented by Electric South, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the African World Heritage Fund, with support from the Government of Namibia, ICCROM — Youth Heritage Africa Programme and Namibia University of Science and Technology.
