Describe the main features of the measure/initiative:
pARTage is a registered, nonprofit artists led organization based in Mauritius. It aims at promoting innovation and experimentation in art among established and emerging artists in Mauritius and within Islands of the Indian Ocean Region. It organizes numerous local and international exhibitions, residencies and workshop.
pARTage is part of the Triangle Network: Triangular Network is a global network of artists and arts organisations that support professional development and cultural exchange amongst artists, curators, cultural workers and organisations throughout the world.
Details of activities organized by pARTage are at below:
1. Information sharing: This initiative has contributed to improving the mobility of artists by sharing various international calls for exhibitions, residencies, workshops and conferences in different parts of the world, with artists.
2. Partage arts residency: We were able to bring artists from different parts of the world to Mauritius, which allowed for greater interaction between local and international artists. Although we wanted to focus on artists from the Indian Ocean region and Africa, we were unable to fully achieve this goal due to lack of funding. However, we received many artists from rich countries who could pay the costs of a residence in Mauritius or find funding in their own country.
3. Partage International artists` workshop: Through our workshops we attempt at promoting exchange and dialogue between artistic communities internationally and within the region. We aim at a truly multicultural encounter that provides a dynamic platform for a dialogue between cultures. The workshop period is usually 2 weeks where an equal number of local and international artists live and work together in a spirit of camaraderie, exchange and experiment. As part of the workshop, an outreach community arts program involving slide presentations, video screening, and open discussion also takes place. Towards the end of the workshop an open-day is usually organized to give possibility to the public see works in progress and discuss with artists.
The workshop culminates in an exhibition of all works produced during the two weeks’ interaction.
Our workshops aim to celebrate diversity and promote cultural expressions by bringing artists from different corners of the world to share their experience, their culture and their know-how with other workshop participants. There is no formal teaching and learning activities, artists learn from each other through examples. We ensure a balance between gender, age group, techniques used and geographic representation.
4. Mauritius Pavilion at the Venice Biennale: Partage initiated the first participation of Mauritius at the Venice Biennale in 2015 and once again in 2017 with the support of the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage (then Ministry of Arts and Culture), we were able to set up the second pavilion of Mauritius at the Venice Biennale. This initiative helped 2 local artists to participate in the world oldest and most prestigious art Biennale.
Website of the measure/initiative, if available:
What are the results achieved so far through the implementation of the measure/initiative?:
These measures / initiatives have greatly contributed to improving the mobility of artists and to creating more dialogue between local and international artists. Over the past 4 years, we have been able to bring more than 40 international artists to Mauritius to interact with local artists, art students and the public. This has enabled local artists to integrate different international networks of artists and to benefit from exhibitions, workshops and residences.
Thanks to our participation in the Venice Biennale, Mauritius is now on the map of world art and contacts between Mauritian artists and other artists, curators, collectors and international funding institutions have been made possible.