Heba Elkayal
Independent curator and art historian
“Unique in its ability to gather together cultural practitioners from across the African continent and its diaspora to meet and connect in person.”
Influence more diverse, inclusive, balanced and connected art ecosystems that nourish the creative abilities of all humans to offer deeper understanding and possible solutions to the complex and interrelated issues of our time.
We engage in activities related to contemporary art and creative practices from Africa and its diasporas
(i) broaden nuanced conversations and dialogic spaces around (ii) deepen understanding of the infrastructures that can sustainably hold and promote it; (iii) strengthen relations among art professionals working in this field; and (iv) foster opportunities for the creation of new models of collaborations and synergies.
• Interdisciplinary • Cross-Cultural & Heterodox Lenses • Collaboration • Future Readiness
African Art Dialogues is a not-for-profit organization.
OUR MOST PROMINENT PRODUCTION: THE AFRICAN ART IN VENICE FORUM
The African Art in Venice Forum - an open event that every two years provides a neutral platform on emerging topics and cutting-edge projects related to contemporary African art during the opening week of the Biennale dell’Arte di Venezia, which is one of the main international stages of contemporary art.
The forum serves at the same time as:
- • An intimate communal space for artists and art professionals to discuss issues important to the community
- • A springboard for collaborations and synergies that are shaping the present and future of contemporary African art on the continent and in the global ecosystem
- • A platform able to attract the attention of the highest levels of the art and culture world.
OUR BOARD
- • Alexandra Topalski Independent curator, Director of a private US-based collection
- • Attilio Meoli CEO Art-Rite Auction House
- • Azza Satti Producer and Creative Director at Statement Films
- • Neri Torcello International art consultant and independent researcher
- • Georgiana Ward-Booth Co-director for large-scale systems change initiatives at Presencing Institute
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OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD
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ALEXANDRA TOPALSKI
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ATTILIO MEOLI
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AZZA SATTI
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GEORGIANA WARD-BOOTH
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NERI TORCELLO
INDEPENDENT CURATOR, DIRECTOR OF A PRIVATE US-BASED COLLECTION
CEO ART-RITE AUCTION HOUSE
PRODUCER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT STATEMENT FILMS
CONSULTANT FOR LARGE-SCALE SYSTEMS CHANGE INITIATIVES
IN THE FIELD OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENCING INSTITUTE ASSOCIATE
INTERNATIONAL ART CONSULTANT AND INDEPENDENT RESEARCHER
Alexandra Topalski
Independent curator, Director of a private US-based collection
Attilio Meoli
CEO Art-Rite Auction House
Azza Satti
Producer and Creative Director at Statement Films
Georgiana Ward-Booth
Consultant for large-scale systems change initiatives in the field of sustainable development and Presencing Institute Associate
Neri Torcello
International art consultant and independent researcher
OUR MAIN SPONSORS
OUR MAIN CONTENT PARTNERS
OUR STORY
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Chapter I - THE SEED
At the 57th Biennale Dell'Arte di Venezia in 2017, only 8 out of 54 African countries were represented.
The lack of represented content could have become a lack of dialogue and social change.
However, a group of art lovers and professionals pulled their passion and resources together to produce and hold the first edition of the African Art in Venice Forum (AAVF).
In 2018 we created a not-for-profit organization capable of advocating for equity, representation, and social and artistic justice while supporting and advancing the artistic energies of the African continent and its diaspora.
With the creation of African Art Dialogues (AAD), we were able to deliver a 2nd and 3rd editions of the AAVF, which from a prototype became an established event that generates impact at the individual and collective levels.
We were able to attract content partners and established sponsors.
In 2023 AAD is at a crossroads.
On 16-17 April 2024, as the curtain lifts on the 60th Biennale Dell'Arte di Venezia in 2024, we want to be there to further the incredible impact we’ve already had and produce the most exciting AAVF yet!
However, to continue deliver innovative programming and serve this precious creative community,
we must forge new relationships with partners and donors and create a model for sustainable growth.
African Art Dialogues Sponsorship & Patronship Benefits
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• Prominent branding and recognition as the main sponsor of African Art Dialogues.
• Logo placement and acknowledgment on the organization’s website, event materials, and promotional materials.
• Exclusive sponsorship mentions in press releases, media coverage, and social media campaigns.
• Special recognition during the African Art in Venice Forum, including VIP access and networking opportunities.
• Opportunities for collaborations and co-branded initiatives.
• Invitations to exclusive events and private receptions.
• Customized sponsorship packages tailored to the sponsor’s specific goals and objectives.
• Logo placement and acknowledgment on the organization’s website, event materials, and promotional materials.
• Sponsorship mentions in press releases, media coverage, and social media campaigns.
• Recognition during the African Art in Venice Forum, including access to selected events and networking opportunities.
• Inclusion in sponsorship-related communications and acknowledgments.
• Opportunity to participate in collaborative projects and initiatives.
• Invitations to select events and private receptions.
• Customized sponsorship packages based on the level of support.
• Recognition as a main patron of African Art Dialogues.
• Acknowledgment on the organization’s website and select promotional materials.
• Exclusive invitations to patron-only events and private receptions.
• Priority access to the African Art in Venice Forum, including special seating and networking opportunities.
• Personalized updates and communications from African Art Dialogues.
• Opportunities for involvement in special projects or initiatives.
• Tailored benefits and privileges based on the patron’s preferences and interests.
• Acknowledgment on the organization’s website and select promotional materials.
• Invitations to patron-related events and private receptions.
• Priority access to the African Art in Venice Forum, including reserved seating and networking opportunities.
• Regular updates and communications from African Art Dialogues.
• Opportunities to engage with artists, curators, and cultural practitioners.
• Recognition and special mentions during relevant events.
• Personalized benefits and perks based on the patron’s level of support.
Sponsor other features of the African Art in Venice Forum
FOR NON-AAD SPONSORS: €10k + cost of the feature
Sponsoring a specific speaker or panel discussion during the forum. This could involve prominent branding and acknowledgment during the session, VIP access for sponsor representatives, and the opportunity to engage with the speakers or panelists.
Sponsoring a dedicated networking event or reception within the forum. This could include branding and acknowledgment at the event venue, exclusive access for sponsor representatives to network with participants, and the opportunity to address the attendees.
Sponsoring a workshop or masterclass session as part of the forum’s program. This could involve branding and acknowledgment during the session, recognition as the sponsor of the educational component, and the opportunity to collaborate on the workshop’s content.
Sponsoring the production and distribution of a publication or catalog that documents the African Art in Venice Forum edition. This could include prominent branding and acknowledgment within the publication, distribution rights, and the opportunity to contribute content or interviews.
Sponsoring community outreach initiatives or educational programs related to the African Art in Venice Forum. This could involve supporting workshops or events aimed at engaging local communities, funding scholarships for young artists or students to participate, or supporting educational resources and materials.
Sponsoring media coverage, live-streaming, or digital platforms associated with the African Art in Venice Forum. This could include branding and acknowledgment in promotional materials, media partnerships, and opportunities for content collaborations.
our impact
An extensive community of art lovers, curators, professionals, artists, institutional representatives and academics who cherish the unique space created by organization
A reliable and cutting edge event with 3 past editions
Established international outreach
Solid relationships with institutions, platforms and movements across the African Continent
Public engagement estimated at 25,000+ people
Involvement of 250+ leaders presenting cutting-edge cultural content to trigger dialogues
Ability to attract diverse sponsors and content partners from the private and public sectors
Impressive media coverage
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT AAVF
“We always have to find ways to gather in the diaspora, this forum creates a moment of unlikely paths to cross, sit and exchange ideas and perspectives. In a way, it creates a moment in Venice to reflect on what Africa continues to give the world”
Khanyisile Mbongwa Curator Liverpool Biennial 2023
“In the midst of a Biennial where art - African art and all art- is in the business of accumulating and justifying capital, AAVF is one of these very few places where sincere and informed discussions consistently take place, beyond the testimonial, beyond the representational, beyond the material. A place that attracts and welcomes the people who feel it is a privilege -as well as an obligation - to make sure that privileges cascade back to the communities that live through the greatest urgencies of our time.”
Renzo Martens
Dutch artist living and working in Amsterdam and Kinshasa
“From its inception, the African Art in Venice Forum has been a fecund meeting point for artists, curators, thinkers and others interested in furthering the conversation around contemporary African art. It also holds the ability to congregate all the African Pavilions into one space.”
Azu Nwagbogu
Founder and Director of African Artists' Foundation (AAF)
Curator of Benin Pavillion, Biennale dell’Arte di Venezia 2024
"The Forum has the outstanding ability to gather cultural practitioners from across the African continent and its diaspora to meet and connect. No other opportunity of this kind exists: here you can exchange and engage with fellow art practitioners and lovers in total intellectual and creative freedom of thought and expression. This is a unique event that needs to be marked in the international cultural calendar. Today, my career has taken a beautiful direction because of the collaborations, projects and alliances conceived of and formed in this space.”
Heba Elkayal
Independent curator and art historian
"I can never forget the beautiful and unexpected gathering of brilliant and committed minds of art professionals from the African continent and its diasporas that gathered during the first edition in 2017. Since then, the Forum has established itself as a new home for the African art world within the symbolic fortress of the institution of art–the Venice Biennale. Today, while the market for Contemporary African Art has grown exponentially in the past years, the AAVF is even more necessary and urgent than ever as an independent platform for critical dialogues, fruitful exchanges, and meaningful reflections around our blooming art community operating within and outside Africa.”
Mariella Franzoni
Independent curator and art historian
Curator and Art Advisor
WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT AAVF
MEDIA COVERAGE
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SUPPORT!
Do not hesitate to reach out to us at:
sponsor@aavforum.com
