2011 - Cape Town
Freedom to Create works to harness the power of art and culture to build more creative and prosperous societies. Through our global network of participants and supporters, we have been creating a global movement for creative expression, using the arts as a means to harness creativity and address social issues around the globe.
We focus on regions of the world where there is the greatest need to change mindsets and build capacity to fight the intolerance and conflict that prevents creativity from flourishing. In the developed world, we take our creative freedom for granted. But in many societies, political repression, intolerance, ignorance and religious extremism inhibit creative expression, especially for women. Artists play an important role in breaking these barriers and championing creative, economic and political freedom.
Our presence in Africa extends across the continent where we have developed relationships with extraordinary grass-roots art and culture organisations and have supported projects that use the creative arts to address social change and deliver more inclusive prosperity for the Critical Mass. Ubuntu, a traditional African philosophy, recognizes how we are inextricably bound in each other's humanity. Translated as, "I am because you are," Ubuntu describes a sense of unity between people through which we discover our own strengths and virtues.
Freedom to Create believes the arts serve as a source of creativity, enrichment, entertainment and fulfilment. Our experiences have taught us the arts can provide a variety of social and economic benefits at the community level through increased economic activity, the creation of a more liveable environment and promoting a sense of community pride.
Art and culture in Africa expresses the continent's vibrant, rich cultural diversity and creative talent and reinforces national identity. The 2011 Freedom to Create Prize events held in Cape Town from 14 November until 19 November, embraced Africa and reinforced the philosophy of Ubuntu for the flourishing of everyone in this great continent.
For more information, view the programme of events in Cape Town surrounding the 2011 Freedom to Create Prize.
