Art Moves Africa – Retracing Roots and Tracing New Routes: Mobility and Touring in North Africa

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Country-Specific Information
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ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR
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Morocco’s artistic sector is dynamic, diverse
and growing, despite an array of challenges. It
is the strongest in the region in terms of local
activity and international exchange. Indeed,
Morocco is emerging as an arts hub on the continent.
It namely boasts a strong festival culture,
epitomized by major events such as Mawazine
Festival (dubbed the “King Mohamed VI Festival”)
and Marrakech International Film Festival.
Independent initiatives such as Visa for Music and
On Marche! are bringing contemporary creation
to new audiences.
Created in 2002, the Ministry of Culture is
the government authority responsible for culture.
Centralization is fairly strong, with more than ¼
of cultural structures concentrated in Casablanca
and an additional 10% in Rabat (Benslimane,
2014). However, important events are present
across the country, namely in Marrakech and
Tangiers, which are becoming important cultural
hubs, as well as in cities such as Agadir.
The independent arts sector is active
in all artistic fields, with strong recent developments
in contemporary music, dance and visual
arts in particular. Independent art galleries are
flourishing, festivals are popping up and launching
careers, and centres such as l’Uzine, EAC
Boul’vart, Le18, Tabadoul (and many more) are
catalyzing creation by the young generations.
The private sector is bolstering creation, with
Foundations such as HIBA and Touria et Abdelaziz
Tazi playing an increasingly active role in
the sector.
Foreign cultural centres are present across
the country and have played a significant role in
dissemination and training. They do not provide
structural support. The Institut Français is by
far the most present and active. It is followed
by the Instituto Cervantes, which has centres in
Casablanca, Rabat, Tangiers, Fès and Tétouan;
the British Council; the American cultural centre;
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the Goethe Institut; the Italian cultural institute
and the Russian cultural institute. There is additionally
an Egyptian cultural centre in Rabat.
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FUNDING
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Public administration
The Ministry of Culture can receive applications
for funding for individual / group projects.
However, respondents deplored the opacity of
funding procedures, the nepotism of funding, the
lack of openness to artists and cultural operators
and the lack of professionalism in the offices.
Bilateral cooperation institutes
With 12 centres across the country – the largest
number in any single country – the Institut Français
remains a strong reference point for funding
for mobility projects. However, disillusionment
is growing among cultural actors due to the
Institut’s shrinking budgets, lack of structural
funds in favour of meager project-based funds,
bureaucracy, slow procedures, and paternalist
attitudes. The Institut Cervantes does not provide
funding for cultural projects. The Goethe
and the British Council may provide funds on
a project basis.
Civil society organizations
A notable funder in Morocco is Association
Afrikayna, which has been delivering funding
for mobility projects connecting Morocco and
Africa through Africa Art Lines. The fund has
supported more than 95 projects since its inception
in 2016. They also organize masterclasses
with prominent artists from other African regions
as well as a library of African instruments.
Respondents univocally praised the fund for
its efficiency and flexibility, and for opening up
valuable opportunities across the continent.