Funded by the European Union, and implemented by the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel), "Guinée Créative" has been supporting the emergence of the creative economy in Guinea since 2021. After two years in action, it has found its final expression in the Espace Guinée Créative, which will bring together players in the Guinean creative sector at the Mariador Hotel until the end of the year. The concept of the "Tiers-lieu", which was chosen to guide the design and programming of the space, corresponds to the spirit of the program, which is open and inclusive. This choice is in line with the accelerating trend towards these new spaces, both in Europe and on the African continent.

In recent years, a number of third places have sprung up on the African continent, such as 16NetO in Mozambique, Ishyo arts center in Rwanda, Keleketla Library in South Africa, Go Down Arts Center in Kenya, La Fabrique culturelle des anciens abattoirs in Morocco, Bandjoun Station in Cameroon and Kër thiossane in Senegal. Although these cultural venues form a heterogeneous group with shifting identities, they nevertheless share a number of common characteristics. They are defined as hybrid, open spaces for sharing knowledge and culture, which place the visitor or spectator at the heart of the processes of learning, production and dissemination of culture and knowledge. They are rooted in their territories, and aim to create learning ecosystems at the service of transitions.

This project takes place in October, November and December 2023. It is a joint production between Enabel, pali pali and the Cité des Arts, and its founder Moussa Mbaye, who for many years has been helping to professionalize players in the cultural sector by developing initiatives that maximize their career potential. The inauguration will take place on October 6, 2023.

La Cité des Arts

A seasoned civil society player and head of a flourishing cultural enterprise in a context where cultural infrastructures are scarce in Guinea, Moussa serves as an example to young Africans who aspire to change their living conditions, despite a difficult socio-political and economic climate where youth languish under the weight of idleness. Thanks to his efforts and those of his brother Ablaye, their Studio Mach Allah is now a benchmark beyond borders, with talent jostling for the doors of the Meurs Libre Prod (MLP) label.

Today, Moussa Mbaye has embarked on a new challenge: the creation of a vocational training establishment, "La cité des arts". The leitmotiv of his school is to respond to the need for qualified manpower and the challenge of digital transformation in the cultural and creative industries.

Objectives

The Guinée Créative space will fulfill several objectives for all partners:

Objectives for Enabel

• To ensure the long-term viability of companies by offering them visibility and business opportunities;

• Bring together institutions, large companies, etc., with entrepreneurs to connect them;

• Make Guinée Créative visible and demonstrate the added value of our support ;

• To ensure the long-term viability of companies by offering them visibility and business opportunities;

• Strengthen the 100% Créative ecosystem.

Goals for Cité des Arts

• Test the business model of a temporary creative space for 3 months;
• Show that we can be creative and mobilize future partners for Espace;
• Laying the foundations for the future Cité des Arts .

Objectives for contractors

• Finding customers;
• Show their creations ;
• Have a sales area.

Programming

The Guinée Créative space offers a cultural program two or three days a week, featuring music, cinema, photography, design, fashion and gastronomy. For musical events and concerts, the space can count on the Guinée Jazz Festival from November 13 to 18, followed by a fashion & design event, photo exhibitions and film screenings.

A micro-festival will be held on the weekend of December 11, to summarize the Guinée Créative program. It will feature presentations of the program and its initial results, feedback from creative industry entrepreneurs, discussions with potential backers, and a festive program.