The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) has announced its initial call for abstracts, papers, and presentations for its 5th International Conference, #SACOConf2025, set to take place on 5 – 6 November 2025, in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa. This hybrid event offers both in-person and virtual participation opportunities.
This year’s theme is “Creative Economy Futures – Perspectives, Policies, and Practices for Tomorrow”. As global creative economies undergo rapid transformation, the 5th SACO Conference invites scholars, policymakers, industry professionals, and creatives to critically explore the evolving landscape of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).
From AI’s impact on human creativity to cultural policy shifts and funding models, the conference will delve into strategies for fostering inclusive, sustainable, and innovative creative economies.
Who should participate?
The conference is open to a diverse range of participants, including:
- Academics and researchers
- Industry professionals and creative entrepreneurs
- Public managers, policymakers, and thought leaders
- Cultural institutions and arts funders
- Artists, content creators, and emerging talents
- Festival and event organisers
- Sports promoters and administrators
Participants are encouraged to submit abstracts engaging with the following critical topics:
- Creative Futures – Envisioning the cultural and creative industries of tomorrow.
- Human-AI Collaboration – The role of AI in reshaping creativity and ownership.
- Political Economy of CCIs – Institutional power, policy shifts, and governance.
- Cultural Policy Redefinition – Adapting policies to global and local realities.
- Creative Work in the Digital Age – Talent retention, precarity, and social protection.
- Copyright Evolution – Fair use, sustainability, and emerging business models.
- Creative Economies Across Geographies – Case studies from non-Western markets.
- Creative Africa – Leveraging cultural identity, BRICS partnerships, and regional development.
- Sustainable Growth Strategies – Managing and scaling creative enterprises.
- Funding Innovations – Emerging investment models and hybrid funding structures.
- Crossroads of Sport, Recreation, and Culture – The role of sports and popular culture in the creative economy.
Call for proposals:
Contributions from diverse perspectives – including those from practitioners, policymakers, and organisations working directly in the field – are encouraged. Co-authored and collaborative pieces are also welcomed, as are lightning talks of under 10 minutes delivered in a TED-style format. In addition, case studies, innovative approaches, and personal reflections on lived experiences within the creative economy are preferred.
What should be included in your proposal?
- Papers and presentations: Abstracts (300-400 words) should outline how your work engages with the conference theme, the methodology used (such as data, case studies, or literature reviews), and key findings or insights.
- Panel discussions: Proposals for academic or popular panel discussions should include a short rationale (under 400 words), an abstract, and a brief outline of the speakers’ experience.
- “CRED” lighting talks: Short focused and engaging talks, in the style of a TED presentation on a core topic featuring moving and inspirational “creative, educational or design” orientated experiences from creative economy actors, responding to the theme. Share a short abstract of talk and 5 slides.
Submission deadline: 17 July 2025
Accepted proposals will receive notification within 2-3 weeks of submission. Selected papers may also be considered for publication in the peer-reviewed African Journal of Creative Economy (AJCE).
For submissions and further inquiries:
Paula Holmes: paula.holmes@mandela.ac.za
General Inquiries: info@southafricanculturalobservatory.org.za
Phone: +27 (0)41 504 4930
