12 - 13 Dec
Knowledge, Ideas & Impact
State of Art Summit.
Knowledge, Ideas, and Impact
Summit starts in:
About SAS
The State of Art Summit (SAS) is a dynamic, high-level platform for artists, curators, collectors, and cultural thinkers from across Africa, the Global South — and beyond — to come together and reflect on the current state and future of our art ecosystems. In particular, it offers a rare opportunity for diverse voices to exchange ideas and shape collective visions.
Over the course of two days in Kampala, SAS will host four carefully selected keynote addresses by leading figures in the field. After each keynote, participants will engage in in-depth, participatory discussions that create space for honest dialogue, critical reflection, and collaborative thinking.
Importantly, these sessions — grounded in lived experience and diverse perspectives — are designed to spark new ideas, foster meaningful networks, and build momentum for lasting change.
Why SAS Matters
Across Africa and the Global South, the contemporary art sector is experiencing unprecedented visibility and growth. However, the infrastructure, policies, and collaborative frameworks needed to sustain this momentum remain underdeveloped. As a result, artists and cultural practitioners often work in isolation, with limited opportunities for exchange that goes beyond the transactional.
In response, SAS addresses this need by creating a focused environment where the sector’s most engaged voices can step back from day-to-day demands to:
Take stock of where we are as a cultural community;
Share knowledge, strategies, and lived experience;
Confront challenges and imagine possibilities;
And ultimately, build connections that extend far beyond the summit.
The event will be documented through professional recording and written reflections, with the key outcomes published as a resource for the broader arts community.
Summit Format
Duration: 2 days
Keynotes: Four leading voices — including artists, knowledge-shapers, creative-thinkers, curators, institutional founders, collectors, and art market specialists.
Engagement: Each keynote followed by moderated, participatory discussion.
Documentation: Full audio-visual capture, written summaries, and post-event publication.
Audience: 150–200 participants including established professionals, emerging voices, and students from across the continent and beyond.
SAS is creating a focused environment where the sector’s most engaged voices can step back from day-to-day demands.
Intended Outcomes
- Strengthened Networks – Building bridges between practitioners, institutions, and markets across regions.
- Shared Knowledge – Consolidating insights into a permanent resource.
- Sector Momentum – Inspiring new collaborations, initiatives, and policy conversations.
- Cultural Visibility – Positioning Kampala as a hub for meaningful, sector-wide dialogue.
Register for SAS
State of Art Summit 2025
To participate, please register.
We welcome the participation of institutions, organizations, and individuals who share our commitment to advancing the future of our art ecosystem.
Our Partners
