ArtBakery is a centre for contemporary art based in Bonendale/Douala/Cameroun.
Founded in 2003, it has grounded its action on four pillars, namely > a residency programm for visual artists>> training in art and visual culture >>> Support to young artists, critics and curators... >>>> Interaction with the community>>>>> The use of new technologies for art production...
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-Creative residencies
Since October 2003, ArtBakery has been receiving on a regular basis, visual artists for a creative residency in Bonendale/Douala. Here the artist is challenged to question his/her position and esthetic stand. (S)he is encouraged to exchange, experiment ... Past residents came from various countries like Cameroon, The Republic of Congo, Togo, India, Belgium and Switzerland...

-Training
ArtBakery provides informal training to visual artists, young art critics and curators by means of workshops, refresher courses, seminars... Guidance, coaching and mentorship also provided in case of need.

-Art in public space
ArtBakery, has made it a duty to stay in touch with the community through outreach projects. They range from public screenings of videos to creative workshops with children and involvment in extra-cullicular activities carried out with the approaval and support of school authorities.

-New technologies
The backbone of ArtBakery's action in the field of contemporary art shall certainly be in the next future, the BAKERY, understood as the centre for production of multimedia art. ArtBakery currently provides support to local artists in terms of access to equipment and advice for their video works and the development of their websites. ArtBakery intends to be more efficient by setting up a powerful studio for production and postproduction with appropriate documentation on the history and development of media arts in the world. This may help reduce the digital gap that currently characterize the art world.

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ArtBakery
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Context
ArtBakery was born out of necessity in a context characterised by lack of public and private support for art-related initiatives. Inspite of the work of the pioneers like Doual'art, Galerie MAM and to some extend Africrea, art as a profession is still quite an adventure. Exile seems still and even more than before, the only and reasonable solution for those who wholeheartedly engage in artistic production. Usually with no guarantee of a better exposure on the new land. Creative minds flee, get disconnected and useless while the local art scene fails to devellop as a consequence of this continuous leakage. Everyone is agreed on the disastrous situation but no redeeming action seems to be in sight. This is due to the fact that Cameroon has succeeding in becoming a fast growing and efficient obstacle-producing factory. Many people have thus been discouraged inspite of their strong will to set up interesting,coherent,culture-friendly projects. Famous sax player Manu Dibango for example has not been able to set up a music school, his expertise and connections not withstanding. ...>>>>
The main features of this context are:

• Lack of an art school
• Insufficienceof exhibition halls and galleries
• Lack of zork space i.e. studiol
• Lack of public and private support
• Absence of a policy for the visual arts...
  

ArtBakery was born in this context, with the view of improving the intellectual, aesthetic and practical output of visual artists critics and curators through a reinvigorating interaction with professionals and the public.
In just 4 years, ArtBakery has become a meeting point on the local art scene.Its collaboration with local (Doual'art, Africrea...) and international organisations (RAIN, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, DOEN, AMA, IAAB...) is fast turning ArtBakery into an international laboratory of contemporary creative endeavours.

ArtBakery
Oasis de créativité since 2003

An animation workshop with children by Myriam THIES

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The Concept >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A friendly environment where art is discussed and produced daily.
> An island of creativity in the seas of shortcomings and generalised indifference.
> A place where the cultures from around the world mingle.
> A laboratory for innovative ideas and artistic proposals.
> An alternative training aiming at fostering a qualitative and quantitative artistic production.
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