Development>>>>>>>>>>>>>

ArtBakery is planning to grow and expand in terms of :

1. Accomodation
2. Technical facilities
3. Administration
   
   
   Reminder >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
   ArtBakery was created in 2003 on the outskirts of Douala/Cameroon, with the view to contributing to the development of contemporary arts in the country. This is envisaged through various means:

• Providing space and when available, financial support, for artists to experiment and widen the scope of their understanding of current art practices.
• Accompanying artists with projects by providing free counselling or technical support. Especially projects based on or requiring new media.
• Bridging the gap between the people and visual artists by bringing quality art to the doorsteps of the population. This is achieved on the one side by teaching kids from the neighbourhood, introducing them to visual art an artists. On the other hand by developing projects that involve people or which require a public presentation in a place that is easily accessible to local folks.
• Organising a platform where it is possible to exchange , on a regular basis, ideas and views on contemporary art, the art world and its workings. Such a platform is particularly relevant in a country where there is little debate on art.
• Creating networks with artists and art organisations throughout Africa and the world.
  
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  ArtBakery's development
  
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  What the future holds
  Given the success of our activities in the past three years, in spite of very limited means, ArtBakery has decided to grow through an extension that will concern three domains: accommodation, technical facilities and workshops, administration.

• Accommodation
  The growing number of demands for residencies at ArtBakery both from Cameroon and from other countries (Africa and Europe) dictates an extension of the current facilities or at best, a setting up of a building with minimal safety and sanitation equipments. A building that can accommodate ten artists at a time would be ideal.
  Our last tour through West Africa ( Exit Tour) raised interest in local communities of visual artists and many are willing to come to Cameroon for a residency. The first artist of this new network, Eza Komla from Togo, was here in October 2006. Others are on the waiting list.
  A bridge has been created, thanks to Swiss artist Dunja Herzog, former resident at ArtBakery, with Basel-based artists exchange program IAAB. Each year an artist from Basel will be received in Douala. A link is also being developed with Belgian Art centre "Netwerk kunstcentrum", with the view to exchanging artists between Cameroon and Belgium. This link will go operational once we have appropriate accommodation.

• Technical facilities
  
  1. Workshops:
  Workshops for traditional activities like painting, sculpture, drawing should be set up with appropriate security devices and basic working tools.
  
  2. A media-lab:
  A media-lab comprising an editing room, an image factory and a light studio:
  2.1 An editing room for post production, with a powerful computer, video cameras, lightening equipment and recording devices and air conditioning system.
  2.2 An image factory comprising digital cameras and computers with scanners and printers for digital image production.
  2.3 A light studio for shooting indoor videos and photos
  
  3. A library/ documentation centre
  Access to documentation on contemporary art is practically impossible in Cameroon. Doual'art has a small collection of recent books and the French cultural centre has a few art magazines. But that is very little for people with a keen interest in contemporary art or a will to do some basic research on related matter.
  ArtBakery 's chief interest being the development of quality art production, it is of primordial interest that a good documentation centre be set-up for research and information purposes.
  This multimedia documentation centre may comprise:
  3.1 A collection of up-to-date books and magazines on contemporary art and artists.
  3.2 CD ROMs, DVDs and video tapes dealing with issues of contemporary art…
  3.3 A TV set with a VCR, and a DVD player with earphones.
  3.4 A computer with appropriate software both to manage collections and to read CD and DVD ROMs.
  3.5 An internet connection for research and communication.

• Administration :
  In the past three years, ArtBakery was run by one person with occasional help from friends. Recently, Jean Ndoumbe, who has gained support from ArtBakery in the past, and Estella Mbuli, were"hired" to work on a part time basis, taking care of administrative and financial problems including fundraising. Our hope is to be able very soon to have someone do that job full time.
  A small office with stationery and basic equipments such as telephone, internet, fax, photocopying machine, scanner, printer… will be necessary. And to run it the following people need to be hired:
  o One administrative officer, in charge of administration and finance,
  o One projects officer, in charge of development and projects follow- up
  o One secretary,
  o One care taker
  

ArtBakery
Oasis de créativité since 2003

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ArtBakery's plan >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Our development plan aims at transforming ArtBakery into a turning point through enhancing links with the community, reinforcing the support provided to young artists, including a space with appropriate technical and human supports.
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