The African Art in Venice Forum was a two- day event which took place during the opening week of the 57th Venice Biennale. The African Art in Venice Forum, organized by Neri Toricelli, was born out of the necessity to compensate for the lack of representation of many African countries at the Venice Biennale. In fact only 7 out of 54 African countries are represented in national pavilions in the 57th Biennale Dell’Arte di Venezia.

Biannually, Venice becomes the world capital of contemporary art. Art enthusiasts, curators, artists, and journalists attend and discuss important social topics regarding the Biennale’s participants. Comparatively by geography, population, and the creative capability of the African continent, very little has been exhibited and discussed about many African countries until now. The lack of content becomes a lack of debate and research.

How unrepresented countries can develop and improve their infrastructure for the promotion of the arts? Which are the factors preventing their community of creatives from thriving both on a national and a global level?

By adding a new platform open to speakers from all countries of the African continent, and many other from international organizations, to present and discuss salient global and diaspora-specific topics, The African Art in Venice Forum believes it can trigger the process that will take to the participation of more African national pavilions at the Venice Biennale.

Moleskine Foundation has been invited to join the panel named “Creativity As A Solution” on the impact of art related charity projects in supporting the development of the infrastructure for the promotion of the arts in African countries. Together with Terry Torok speaking for LALELA Project, Lungi Morrison, and Hakeem KaeKazim speaking for Global Emerging Pathogens Treatment Consortium, our Program Director Adama Sanneh presented the AtWork format to a wide and international audience of the forum.