Policy Brief :Financing Arts and Culture in Tanzania
CDEA – Culture and Development East Africa
CDEA was conceived after one of its directors, who in her capacity as a member the Commonwealth Group on Culture and Development, participated in drafting the Commonwealth Statement on Culture and Development in 2009, and realized there was need for a civil society organization to hold the East African partner states accountable for the promises they were making at international platforms on culture and development.
The statement urged Heads of Government, to recognize the connections between culture and development to take forward its recommendations through strengthened partnerships.
CDEA was incorporated on October 19, 2011 and began its implementation in 2012 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. CDEA’s Culture and Governance programme was formed to respond to the need for civil society to engage in participatory governance. CDEA’s programme activities aim to mobilize and support civil society in East Africa to participate in evidence-based policy advocacy to place culture at the centre of human development.
In 2015, after a strategic planning process, CDEA embraced both its advocacy and service provider roles. CDEA is now a creative think tank based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania that facilitates multi-stakeholders to use culture as a resource to promote creativity and innovation supported by technology to solve the numerous social, political and economic challenges faced in East Africa.
The creative think tank is also a hub where science meets art, and art meets other disciplines to innovate “out-of-the-box” solutions for this and the coming generation.
CDEA’s work is aligned to the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity Cultural Expressions and the African Union Plan of Action for the Cultural and Creative Industries as well as the 1972 UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Our programming is focused around research, incubation and acceleration of the creative industries, support of creative writers through our Writers’ Lounge and implementation of projects around preserving natural heritage, climate justice, peace and social cohesion, sustainable cities and tourism.
In 2018, CDEA received consultative status from the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
CDEA was conceived after one of its directors, who in her capacity as a member the Commonwealth Group on Culture and Development, participated in drafting the Commonwealth Statement on Culture and Development in 2009, and realized there was need for a civil society organization to hold the East African partner states accountable for the promises they were making at international platforms on culture and development.
The statement urged Heads of Government, to recognize the connections between culture and development to take forward its recommendations through strengthened partnerships.
CDEA was incorporated on October 19, 2011 and began its implementation in 2012 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. CDEA’s Culture and Governance programme was formed to respond to the need for civil society to engage in participatory governance. CDEA’s programme activities aim to mobilize and support civil society in East Africa to participate in evidence-based policy advocacy to place culture at the centre of human development.
In 2015, after a strategic planning process, CDEA embraced both its advocacy and service provider roles. CDEA is now a creative think tank based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania that facilitates multi-stakeholders to use culture as a resource to promote creativity and innovation supported by technology to solve the numerous social, political and economic challenges faced in East Africa.
The creative think tank is also a hub where science meets art, and art meets other disciplines to innovate “out-of-the-box” solutions for this and the coming generation.
CDEA’s work is aligned to the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity Cultural Expressions and the African Union Plan of Action for the Cultural and Creative Industries as well as the 1972 UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Our programming is focused around research, incubation and acceleration of the creative industries, support of creative writers through our Writers’ Lounge and implementation of projects around preserving natural heritage, climate justice, peace and social cohesion, sustainable cities and tourism.
In 2018, CDEA received consultative status from the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Engagement Phase
Policy Brief :Financing Arts and Culture in Tanzania
Hosted by CDEA – Culture and Development East Africa
Launch Announcement: "Financing Arts and Culture in Tanzania" Policy Brief
We are pleased to announce the release of our new policy brief, "Financing Arts and Culture in Tanzania," which provides a forward-looking strategy for revitalizing the Tanzania Cultural and Arts Fund (Mfuko wa Utamaduni na Sanaa) through dual financing mechanisms. This policy brief explores how adopting both loan and grant mechanisms can offer sustainable support to artists and cultural practitioners, enabling them to flourish creatively and economically.
In our analysis, we propose innovative funding models, including leveraging blank tape levies, levies on soft drinks, alcohol, and cosmetics, alongside institutional and international partnerships. These strategies aim to create a robust financial ecosystem that balances immediate grant support for emerging artists with long-term loan options for established practitioners seeking to scale their impact.
We invite policymakers, cultural leaders, and stakeholders to engage with this policy brief and contribute to shaping a dynamic future for Tanzania's arts and culture sector.
Together, let's build a resilient and thriving cultural landscape in Tanzania. We look forward to your feedback and collaboration.
Launch Announcement: "Financing Arts and Culture in Tanzania" Policy Brief
We are pleased to announce the release of our new policy brief, "Financing Arts and Culture in Tanzania," which provides a forward-looking strategy for revitalizing the Tanzania Cultural and Arts Fund (Mfuko wa Utamaduni na Sanaa) through dual financing mechanisms. This policy brief explores how adopting both loan and grant mechanisms can offer sustainable support to artists and cultural practitioners, enabling them to flourish creatively and economically.
In our analysis, we propose innovative funding models, including leveraging blank tape levies, levies on soft drinks, alcohol, and cosmetics, alongside institutional and international partnerships. These strategies aim to create a robust financial ecosystem that balances immediate grant support for emerging artists with long-term loan options for established practitioners seeking to scale their impact.
We invite policymakers, cultural leaders, and stakeholders to engage with this policy brief and contribute to shaping a dynamic future for Tanzania's arts and culture sector.
Together, let's build a resilient and thriving cultural landscape in Tanzania. We look forward to your feedback and collaboration.
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CDEA – Culture and Development East Africa
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Policy Brief :Financing Arts and Culture in Tanzania
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