Contemporary Arts and Indigineous Arts-based Tourism in West Africa

Clive Allanso, Marina Novelli

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBNChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The international art scene has been known for promoting ‘cultural diplomacy’ (Guerzion, 2019) by taking the work of Indigenous artists to an international arena and creating what could be defined as a new niche tourism segment and leading to greater and more meaningful cultural exchanges, facilitating a better cross-cultural understanding, and overcoming conventional and limited images and narratives (Novelli et al., 2022).
This chapter provides a helicopter view of core issues that emerged from empirical research undertaken, between January and May 2022, with various key stakeholders within the contemporary arts value chain in Nigeria and Ghana. The research sets out to create an understanding of the socio-economic impact of contemporary arts on sustainable (Indigenous tourism) development. The research employed a Rapid Situation Analysis (Koutra, 2010) approach to allow adaptability within a complex research environment, and included an array of artists, curators, gallery owners, arts foundations, small indigenous businesses, and quasi-governmental organisations. The case study methodology was based on two study settings, (Nigeria and Ghana) with empirical research involving key stakeholders from three geographically diverse regions in Nigeria (Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja) and two in Ghana (Accra and Aburi). Forty semi-structured interviews, four focus groups and multiple overt participant observations and informal discussions were undertaken across the contemporary arts value chain. Ethnographic and participatory methods, including narrative and visual methods, were also utilised throughout the research fieldwork, with visits to arts markets, events, art galleries and exhibitions playing an important role in enabling the researcher (and lead author of this chapter) to gain a clearer understanding of the study settings, particularly in respect to Indigenous interpretation and meaning of local traditional symbols and materials as well as cultural norms.
The research highlights that Indigenous artists are increasingly becoming a reckoning voice for their respective communities and environments, and using their arts as a vehicle to highlight the plight of specific causes and create new images of Indigenous arts.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of Tourism and Indigenous Peoples
EditorsRichard Butler, Anna Carr
Place of PublicationLondon & New York
PublisherRoutledge/Taylor & Francis
Chapter29
Pages381-394
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9781003230335
ISBN (Print)9781032136547
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Aug 2024

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