Lagos Fringe expands global impact, adds festival gathering

The 2024 Lagos Fringe will boost its global reach with a new addition connecting African arts and culture leaders.

AHEAD of its opening on Tuesday, November 19, the 2024 Lagos Fringe themed ‘What Future for Creatives? -The AI Experience’ is broadening its influence and reach through exciting and innovative international collaborations that spotlight African creativity.

The multidisciplinary festival featuring music concerts, markets, theatre, film screenings, visual arts exhibitions, masterclasses, workshops and comedy organised by Paw Pawstudios Africa will present Festival Gathering in partnership with the British Council.

The Festival Gathering is a major highlight of the 2024 programme that unites arts and culture leaders globally in a hybrid residency and live convening.

As a hybrid residency programme, the Festival Management Residency offers both virtual and in-person learning experiences, offering festival managers practical knowledge in areas critical to festival success—sustainability, funding, and programming.

The virtual phase of the Festival Management Residency launched in September 2024, drawing over 50 festival managers and cultural leaders from countries across Africa and Europe, including Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom. The sessions will prepare participants for the future of festival management, addressing the challenges and opportunities unique to arts and cultural organisations in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

“Lagos Fringe 2024 is expanding its reach and impact with exciting international collaborations and the Festival Management Residency Programme, which empowers African arts leaders with practical skills for success,” said Festival Director Kenneth Uphopho.  “With over 50 global festival managers attending our virtual sessions, we are poised to contribute substantially to the global creative landscape.”

The Live Convening portion of the Festival Management Residency Programme will occur during the 2024 Lagos Fringe, which ends on Sunday, November 24. It will allow participants to engage directly with leading arts and culture professionals, connect with peers, and participate in discussions that foster collaboration and innovation. With expert facilitators covering topics like sustainable funding models, festival branding and marketing, and the future of festival programming, the gathering will o offer invaluable insights to festival organisers across Africa.

The British Council’s Festival Management Residency Programme is a visionary three-year initiative to connect festivals and creative organisations across the UK, Africa, and beyond. From May 2024 to March 2027, the Festival Management Residency Program aims to create collaborative spaces where festival leaders can network, share insights, and develop new ideas.

The initiative fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and exchanging new artistic ideas through gatherings, 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.

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