South African Cultural Observatory
The South African Cultural Observatory is like the StatsSA of the cultural and sport economy. We acts as a national research centre dedicated to the development of a comprehensive cultural information system for South Africa. Conceived of in 2013, through the Mzansi Golden Economy strategy (2011), the SACO is a project of the South African Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) hosted by the Nelson Mandela University in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Rhodes University, and several research partners led by Andani.Africa.
The SACO was officially established in 2015 to develop a more sophisticated understanding of South Africa’s cultural and creative economy – and also to map trends, develop statistics, gather economic data across the arts, culture and heritage sectors and the cultural and creative industries (CCIs); and to inform decision and policymakers. Since then, we've shaped new knowledge, tools, and insights into our cultural and creative economy.
SACO 10 YEARS MAIN CLIP
SOUTH AFRICAN FESTIVAL ECONOMIC IMPACT CALCULATOR SAFEIC} Virtual Workshop
Who is SACO & what can we look forward to at the 5th International Conference 2025 on the 4-5 of Nov
A Night of Sound and Insight with SACO and Concerts SA – Celebrating Jazz, Research and Dialogue
Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on South Africa's Cultural and Creative Industries
South African Cultural Observatory Mapping Study video
Virtual Dissemination Workshop on the Reviewing & Evaluation of the funding model within the sector
Capacity Building Workshop on Decent work and Funding issues in the CCI's
Elevating Animation Workshop: How do we do it, together? – Webinar – 13 November 2023
Why creativity matters and why the SA Cultural Observatory counts it
Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme 2021
Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Singing
Interview with Professor Urmilla Bob from UKZN
Interview with Professor Jen Snowball of Rhodes University
Interview with Yvonne Chaka Chaka for Women's Day
Interview with Unathi Lutshaba, Executive Director of SACO, in Port Elizabeth
DAC 2019
#SACOConf2018: What it mean to be a woman in the cultural & creative industries.
#SACOConf2018 Highlights Reel
#SACOConf2018 Day 1 reel
SACO - Behind the scenes
South African Cultural Observatory - An Introduction
The South African Festivals Economic Impact Calculator (SAFEIC) Guide
#SACOConf2017: Creative Economy & Development - Day 2
#SACOConf2017: Highlights Reel - The Creative Economy & Development
#SACOCon2017: Creative Economy & Development – Day 1
SACO National Conference 2016 - Counting Culture