MTN Bushfire and the Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) are joining forces once again to amplify opportunities for artists and arts industry professionals in Eswatini. This collaborative effort commences with the launch of the second edition of the Arts Round Table Online Workshops, aligning with MTN Bushfire’s call to action for positive social and environmental change, titled ‘Bring Your Fire’. This partnership reinforces the festival’s long-standing commitment to sustainable arts development, as demonstrated through the annual MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table workshops.
Kicking off this initiative, MTN Bushfire and ARMC are calling for applications for the first session of the Arts Round Table Online Workshops, scheduled for March 6, 2025. This workshop will focus on the 'Music Publishing and Copyright Masterclass'. Artists and industry professionals interested in participating can apply via this link.
The collaboration between MTN Bushfire and ARMC has yielded incredible value, encouraging the extension of their joint commitment to the annual MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table. Initially formed as a three-year partnership back in 2022, this collaboration stands as one of Africa’s leading efforts to create bridges and showcase possibilities between the African and European music markets. Notable focus territories have included the Netherlands/Dutch (2022), Germany, Switzerland, and Austria (2023), with the United Kingdom added in 2024. For 2025, the focus will expand to include Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Sarah Jane Nicholson, the founder of ARMC, stated, "Our renewed partnership with MTN Bushfire continues to be a vitally bridge between Eswatini, Africa, and international markets—equipping artists and industry professionals with the knowledge and networks to thrive." She emphasized how the impact they've seen, ranging from enhanced music distribution to support for policy development and artist exchanges, highlights the importance of long-term collaboration. "We’re excited to keep building this ecosystem together, driving innovation, and amplifying African talent worldwide," she added.
Jiggs Thorne, director of MTN Bushfire, also weighed in, stating, "Collaborations like this link creative industry stakeholders and facilitate the sharing of best practices, fundamentally supporting the development of Africa’s creative economy." He pointed out the positive outcomes from their efforts, which not only benefit artists but also provide substantial contributions to the arts community.
Since the inception of the MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table workshops back in 2012, more than 1,100 artists have benefited from this initiative. Through the partnership with ARMC, several notable outcomes have been achieved. These include improvements in music distribution for ten Eswatini artists facilitated by Paradise Worldwide, augmented support for the Eswatini Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Society (ESWACOS), and opportunities for young industry professionals to exchange experiences during 2024 bookings across Europe.
The MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table (ART) serves as Eswatini’s premier arts industry development workshop program. Its wide-reaching influence solidifies it as a significant platform for fostering creative industry growth via policy enhancement and business advocacy. Each workshop session hosts local, regional, and international speakers renowned for their expertise within various pillars of the music business ecosystem. This ensures enriching conversations about professionalization and development within the arts.
Participants should mark their calendars for the upcoming online workshop sessions: the first one on March 6, 2025, focusing on Music Publishing and Copyright, and the second on April 10, 2025, addressing how to monetize music effectively moving forward. The MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table event will culminate on May 30, 2025, leading up to the much-anticipated MTN Bushfire weekend.
The themes for the 2025 MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table include: 1) Amplifying Underrepresented Voices – Female Leadership, 2) Building Bridges – Importance of Artist Export and Cross-Continental Collaboration, 3) Creating for the Future, 4) Developing Independence – Live Sets & Building Career as Independent Artists, 5) Driving Innovation – Music & AI, and 6) Incubator Hub – DSAC / XHUB / AMPD. Applications for attendance will open again in March 2025, encouraging even more artists to connect and grow.
For additional information, be sure to visit www.bush-fire.com and to follow the festival's social media channels, 'MTN Bushfire,' on platforms such as Ayoba, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.