The globally celebrated MTN Bushfire Festival, in partnership with the Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC), has officially opened applications for the highly anticipated 2026 Arts Round Table (ART) programme.
This is a dynamic platform designed to empower and professionalise Africa’s creative sector.
Set to unfold through two online capacity-building sessions on March 12 and April 16, followed by an in-person workshop on May 29 at House On Fire, the initiative promises to equip artists and creative industry professionals with practical tools to thrive in an evolving global arts landscape.
The online sessions will prepare creatives ahead of their arrival in Eswatini for the MTN Bushfire Festival weekend.
The first session, themed “Embracing AI in the Creative Industry,” will explore how artists can leverage artificial intelligence for innovation while safeguarding their work from unethical or unauthorised AI usage.
The second session, “Developing Independence,” will focus on strategies for securing professional bookers and managers, highlighting the importance of strategic networking and industry presence.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, MTN Bushfire Creative Director Jiggs Thorne said the Arts Round Table remains central to the festival’s mission of fostering meaningful industry development.
“The Arts Round Table is more than a workshop, it is a catalyst for long-term creative growth across the continent. Through our partnership with ARMC, we are intentionally creating platforms that empower artists with knowledge, tools and international networks. As the industry evolves, particularly with the rise of AI, we want African creatives to be equipped not only to adapt, but to lead,” said Thorne.
The in-person Arts Round Table on 29 May 2026 will convene artists, international delegates and industry specialists to explore key themes including innovation through AI, mental health in the creative sector, developing independence through networking, and building bridges for artist export and cross-continental collaboration. Conversations will also spotlight global exchange platforms such as Arts Incubator Corridor, Reeperbahn, ADE and CollaboNation.
As part of the collaboration, ARMC will facilitate a 14-person delegation of creatives, media and industry professionals to attend MTN Bushfire Festival 2026.
Selected artists will perform across three festival stages, while delegates contribute to discussions at the Arts Round Table, fostering deeper engagement and artist mobility across borders.
Over the years, the Arts Round Table has grown into a credible and influential initiative, linking African talent to international markets and viable career pathways.
With applications now open, artists and industry professionals are encouraged to seize this opportunity to be part of a transformative programme designed to inspire innovation, strengthen networks and elevate Africa’s creative economy onto the global stage.
