Durban, South Africa

The Durban University of Technology and Art for Humanity is organising a three-day international conference on Art and Social Justice or “the Art of Social Justice.” The 2010 Art and Social Justice Conference will address a range of issues and themes relating to the arts in promoting human rights and social justice in society. According to the organisers, plenary speakers will include leading thinkers and practitioners in the arts, as well as in health, justice, education, etc. Paper, workshop, and colloquium presenters will be drawn from researchers and practitioners in all fields of artistic engagement. The objective of the conference is to serve as a platform for art practitioners and organisations to share experiences drawn from a variety of international contexts to discuss mutual concerns and find solutions to commonly experienced challenges.

The conference hopes to arrive at a concrete set of resolutions which can be developed into a policy document about the role of the arts in effecting social change, cultural development, and equity. Issues to be dealt with include:

• arts and social justice in historical perspective;
• arts as mediator between traditional/religious practices and human rights;
• arts, communication, advocacy and audiences;
• arts as expression of cultural diversity in the context of globalisation;
• arts as heritage and the right to identity;
• promoting ethical values through artistic expression and creativity in arts education;
• challenges facing arts activism in the 21st century;
• art activism advancing the Millennium Development Goals;
• exploring the benefits for donor organisations supporting the arts for social justice;
• promoting social justice and intercultural dialogue through the arts; and
• exploring the link between art, social justice, and health.

Click here for more information about the conference.

The organisers are inviting practitioners and academic researchers with an interest in art and social justice, who critically examine relevant works in the fields of literature, visual arts, music and performing arts, to participate in the event. Interested participants are invited to submit abstracts of no more than 300-400 words via email to asjconference@dut.ac.za

Deadline for abstracts: October 31, 2009


Fees are as follows:
Early bird registration before January 6 2010: ZAR3750
Late registration after January 6 2010: ZAR4250.
The conference fee does not cover flights or accommodation.

Click here to register online.