Citylife Business

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE BUSINESS –Editor-in-Chief

Leading stakeholders in the business of arts assembled this week at the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) in Brammfontein to witness three things that have a potential for a major impact on creatve sector businesses in the country –the launch of an incubation arts hub housing R24.4 million to fund creative entrepreneurs, the launch of a multi-disciplinary digital platform connecting the arts ecosystem, and the newly renovated building housing IFAS.

The event was attended by leaders in the arts ecosystem of South Africa, most of those who attended the launch by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ms Catherine Colonna were leaders of institutions, including Ismail Mahomed, Director for Centre of Creative Arts at the University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal, Tshiamo Mokgadi, Chief Executive Officer of the Market Theatre and Philis Klotz-co-founder of Sibikwa in Benoni.

During this official visit to South Africa Minister Colonna inaugurated the French Institute of South Africa’s (IFAS) revamped campus in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, and launched a new Creative and Cultural Industries investment tool, IQOQO, on 20 June 2023. 

IQOQO has been developed with funding from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, through the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects (FSPI), in collaboration with South African partners and overseen by IFAS.

“South Africa is an important partner to the French, and we have a long history of supporting and investing in the country’s Creative and Cultural Industries. We hope, through IQOQO, there will be an increase in the number of projects between the French and South Africans, and that the Creative and Cultural Industries grow as a result,” says Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, David MARTINON. 

IQOQO is an interface that has a goal to support both the South African creative sectors, as well as international institutions, partners, and funders. IQOQO is underpinned by research and a mapping study, serving as a guide to nine sectors of South Africa’s creative and cultural industries, namely animation, architecture, design, gaming, fashion, film, museums, visual arts and XR (extended reality). These sectors have been identified as areas of potential investment, and the content on IQOQO highlights areas of opportunity. 

The platform also offers a profile section for South African professionals to load details about their practice or business, as well as contact information, which can then be used by anyone around the world to initiate contact and potentially collaborate.

To combat gender imbalances within the Creative and Cultural Industries, and to provide a platform for young creatives, IQOQO spotlights profiles and projects that feature women and youth (under the age of 40).

As additional support to these sectors in South Africa, IQOQO also has an events section to amplify creative or cultural events, upcoming IQOQO events, and a resources section that features research, reports, guides, and opportunities in these sectors.

IQOQO also includes video conferencing tools that are activated during essential events to create “speed dating” opportunities, promote collaboration, and give South African practitioners the chance to talk about their work in a one-on-one environment.    

South African partners to IQOQO include Breinstorm Brand Architects as a technical partner, and steering committee members from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition (DTIC), the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO), Gauteng Provincial Government, Wesgro (Cape Town and Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment), the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), City of Joburg, City of Cape Town, Ethekwini Municipality, the South African Museums Association (SAMA), EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), Business France, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Friends of IFAS.  

IQOQO is an isiZulu word that means “collection” or “to collect” in English – referring both to the collection of profiles that make up IQOQO, as well as the collections one finds in museums, fashion, visual arts, etc. 

IQOQO is made possible with funding from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, through the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects (FSPI). 

IQOQO partners: The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) oversees and runs the project. Breinstorm Brand Architects is the technical implementation partner. The project is driven by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition (DTIC), the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO), Gauteng Provincial Government, Wesgro (Cape Town and Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment), the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), City of Joburg, City of Cape Town, Ethekwini Municipality, the South African Museums Association (SAMA), EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), Business France, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Friends of IFAS.

Businesses looking to become part of the IQOQO network can watch the IQOQO training video and register at https://iqoqo.org/join/.  

To learn more about IQOQO, visit https://iqoqo.org. Find IQOQO on socials: follow iqoqo_za on Instagram and LinkedIn, or https://www.facebook.com/iqoqoza on Facebook.