IICD supported project: Soleil Artnet - Promoting the Visibility of Artists - Mali

The project Soleil Artnet provides artists with a graphics software and a training centre in Bamako. Here artists learn to use computer technology to widen or improve their scope of work, get in touch and exchange with other artists abroad through the internet, and promote their work through the internet. This gives them exposure, so that they will be more competitive, increase their knowledge and incomes and are more visible in international events.

To date, the project has achieved at least 55% of its objectives. More than twenty artists have been trained in multimedia, and the number of specific training offerings is increasing steadily.

Where print-shops are concerned, about ten graphic designers have been trained, and demand for such training is also growing. In addition, Soleil Artnet has provided individual training to a number of students at the National Institute for the Arts (INA) and the Conservatory.

Artists make a small financial contribution for their training and the use of the graphic design space. For the moment, these resources cover only 42 to 45% of the cost of Internet connections, electricity, upkeep and staff.

Apart from the Conservatory of Multimedia Arts and Trades there are no art institutes that train students in the use of digital tools for art purposes. Since only ten students per year are admitted for all artistic disciplines put together, there is a huge need for an extra facility. This is why organisation Soleil d’Afrique set up Soleil Artnet.

General objectives of Soleil Artnet

• To develop artists' creative capacity
• To help improve the living conditions of Malian artists
• To increase the visibility of artistic creation in Mali
• To raise the level of artistic creation in Mali to make it more competitive internationally
• To make Malian artists better informed so that they can have a stronger presence in international events

Specific objectives

• To facilitate artists' access to digital equipment by offering them a space equipped with computers with graphics software and Internet connections
• To make artists aware of the possibilities offered by the use of NICT in art
• To develop the use of multimedia in artistic creation in Mali
• To train Malian artists in the use of graphics software
• To create a website to disseminate social and cultural information on Mali and exhibit the work of Malian artists and craft workers
• To create a communication platform for artists
• To develop spaces for meetings and dialogue among artists

More than 250 people benefit from this project by learning skills they can use to increase their income. Computer graphics designers are trained to design layouts, posters and advertising settings. Art students learn more about multimedia art, craft workers learn how to digitise and diffuse images of their work. In addition to these three groups, other beneficiaries are: photographers, print shops and plastic artists.

Read more about IICD’s approach towards Livelihoods.

It is difficult to define the exact target group for Soleil Artnet, as ‘traditional’ artists tend to stick to their original tools rather than experimenting with new techniques. Some artists are interested in using Internet and video to document and publicise their work, but very few are willing/able to pay for this service. On the other hand, it seems that Soleil Artnet does fill a certain gap at the level of young upcoming artists, who are still looking for their medium.  

With a dynamic approach, Soleil Artnet could profile itself in this niche, covering and facilitating artistic production using digital photography, video art and design

As artists are not the best paying clients, Soleil Artnet has decided to change its financial strategy. It offers its services for free to artists, and tries to find donors and sponsors for specific workshops thus covering the running costs of the Centre.

Soleil d’Afrique is an association of visual artists in Mali, which wants to promote the visibility and economical viability of artists through national and international exchanges.