Developing performing and visual arts in South Africa

Please join us on Thursday 4th May 16:00-17:30 (BST) for a lecture with Marcus Tebogo Desando.

This event will be in person at the University of Leeds and is jointly hosted between LUCAS and the Centre for Cultural Policy & Leadership. This lecture will be in two parts – the first will focus on Marcus’ research and the second part will outline his role as Fund Director with the Prince Claus Fund for development and culture.

Part 1 - Sustainability and self-reliance in the cultural and creative industries: looking at introduction of the CCI to the socio-economic landscape in South Africa. Marcus explains: “The focus of the study is to develop a theory to achieve the above within the performing and visual arts in South Africa. The presentation will be around the realities of the performing and visual arts, the initial findings of the study and how I would like to proceed.”

Part 2 - The Prince Claus Fund (for development and culture). “Here I will give a brief presentation about the work we do at PCF and how we use the learnings of consultation processes to advocate for trust base grant-making and creating connections for the cultural practitioners.”

Register here:

Speaker:

Marcus Tebogo Desando is the Director of the Prince Claus Fund, formerly a CEO of The Arts and Culture Trust, Johannesburg. Prior to that, Marcus was the CEO of Gauteng Opera in Johannesburg (formerly Black Tie Ensemble). He sits on a number of boards in his home country South Africa and currently, he is a Doctoral candidate through his Master’s alma-mater, The Da Vinci Institute.

In addition to his career as an arts administrator, Marcus Desando is a professional singer and stage director who has directed, conducted and performed multiple Operas in South Africa as well as with international companies such as Really Useful Artists and New York Harlem Productions. He has been invited as a guest lecturer to various universities, where he taught largely on stagecraft and directed several opera productions.

Marcus Desando has become a driving force in the development and training of young South African artists and aspiring arts administrators.