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The Faculty of Arts and Design (FAD) at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), in collaboration withthe Faculty of Humanities at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the South African Journal of Art History (SAJAH) and the City of Tshwane (CoT),proudly announce the extended call for participation of the Artivism Conference 2026, ReimaginingFutures, Art, Design & Artivism in Global Transformation.
The term artivism is used in many creative disciplines to describe how art and design serve as tools for social and political change. It often refers to the complex relationships between creative practice and activism, with practitioners extending these ideas to challenge traditional distinctions between aesthetic work and political action.
Contemporary artists and designers are increasingly combining activism with creative practice, making artivism a process of social engagement rather than fixed cultural production. In the context of the Global South, artivism demonstrates how creative practice can address both colonial legacies and contemporary challenges, generating new approaches to community engagement and social change.
Artivism has gained traction in the creative disciplines, particularly in relation to decolonial practice, digitalactivism and community-led interventions. The rise of digital technologies has foregrounded artivism as a site of complex relationships, where creative practice and political action are in constant negotiation.
The 2026 conference, building on the 2024 conference, now aims to explore these relationships and connections toreveal the richness of contemporary artivism. In the spirit of creative curiosity, we ask that papers, demonstrations,displays, performances and panel discussions focus on questions and provocations while also guiding the wayforward. We welcome practice-based research and hope that the conference will be a platform forcreative knowledge exchange.
THE VOICES REIMAGINING THE FUTURE
Explore Key
Conference Themes
Climate justice and environmental awareness through creative practice
Pedagogical methods for artivism in higher education
AI, ethics, and creative resistance
Digital artivism: technology, resistance, and new audiences
Decolonial futures: Art, identity, and cultural reconquest
Gender justice and intersectional approaches in artivism
Healing, trauma, and reconciliation through art and design
Urban interventions and community empowerment
Other novel research and experimental approaches to artivism
CONFERENCE highlights
Music provided the perfect finale to the 2026 TUT Artivism Conference. Led by Prof Karendra Devroop and his Jazz Quartet, the closing performance celebrated the intersection of art, scholarship and activism, ending three days of dialogue, creativity and reimagining on a high note.
PHOTOS: Vishern Debiky
IMPORTANT DATES OF THE CONFERENCE
7 August 2026
Extended Submission Deadline
6 July 2026
Notification of Acceptance
14 August 2026
Final Submission of Materials for Publicity and Programme
21 September 2026
Presentation Submission
1 – 3 October 2026
Conference Dates
ARTICLE PUBLICATION
IMPORTANT: Those interested in publishing in the SAJAH special edition are to submit their completed articles (approximately 4 000 – 7 000 words) by 31 July 2026 to be peer reviewed.
31 August 2026
30 September 2026
30 October 2026
Submission of Articles
Notification of Acceptance of Article
Peer review of article & corrections
Completed article submission for publication
31 July 2026
Expected Publication
November/December 2026
REGISTRATION
R5 500.00
R6 500.00
Early Bird Registration (until 31 July 2026)
Full Registration (from 1 August - 14 September 2026)
R2 000.00
R3 000.00
Daily Registration
Registered Students (proof of registration to be submitted)
Proof of payments to be received by 14 September 2026 to confirm registration.
BANKING DETAILS
BANK: ABSA
BRANCH: Quagga Shopping Centre
BRANCH CODE: 32 32 45
ACCOUNT HOLDER: Tshwane University of Technology
ACCOUNT TYPE: Cheque
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 004 00 000 03
SWIFT CODE: ABSAZAJJCPT
REFERENCE: Please quote F147 followed by delegate surname and initials
TO REQUEST AN INVOICE TO SECURE PAYMENT
Please contact Busi Mashaba at MashabaBM@tut.ac.za
PROOF OF PAYMENT
Please forward proof of payment to Busi Mashaba at MashabaBM@tut.ac.za
ACCOMMODATION & TRANSPORT OPTIONS
SUN INTERNATIONAL TIME SQUARE (Bed & Breakfast)
They are happy to offer the below discounted rates:
R1997.00
3* Foundation (single occupancy)
3* Foundation (double occupancy)
R2352.00
R2927.00
4* Median (single occupancy)
R3282.00
4* Median (double occupancy)
DAILY TRANSPORT BETWEEN HOTEL AND CONFERENCE VENUE:
TUT shuttle service (Please advise us if you secured your booking here, so we can communicate transport arrangements from the hotel)
SOUTHERN SUN (Bed & Breakfast)
We have extended a favourable rate offer at the following hotels in Pretoria:
R1595.00
Southern Sun Pretoria (single occupancy)
Southern Sun Pretoria (double occupancy)
R1795.00
R1795.00
Garden Court Hatfield (single occupancy)
R2045.00
Garden Court Hatfield (double occupancy)
R995.00
StayEasy Pretoria (single occupancy)
R1195.00
StayEasy Pretoria (double occupancy)
DAILY TRANSPORT BETWEEN HOTEL AND CONFERENCE VENUE:
City of Tshwane (CoT) dedicated Artivism Conference bus service (Please advise us if you secured your booking in one of the above hotels and clearly indicate which hotel, so we can communicate transport arrangements from the hotel).
137@MURRAY STREET GUESTHOUSE
They are happy to offer the below discounted rates:
R950.00
Single room with breakfast
Sharing room with breakfast - 2 guests sharing
R1150.00
Dinner is available @ R275.00 – buffet excluding drinks and we also have an a la carte menu available to order from.
BOOKINGS
DAILY TRANSPORT BETWEEN HOTEL AND CONFERENCE VENUE:
Complimentary shuttle service.
MORE ABOUT YOUR HOST
The Faculty of Arts & Design boasts five departments, namely Fashion Design, Fine & Studio Arts, Interior Design, Performing Arts and Visual Communication which offer the following twelve programmes: Fashion Design & Technology; Fine & Applied Arts; Jewellery Design and Manufacture; Interior Design; Higher Certificate in Music; Dance; Music (Jazz & Opera); Theatre Arts & Design with a Technical Theatre & Design or Theatre Arts & Performance elective; Commercial Photography; Integrated Communication Design and Motion Picture Production. Our programmes equip students with the knowledge and creativity needed to build meaningful careers and to generate new opportunities as future employers in global contexts.
All programmes have career-focused progression possibilities – from Higher Certificate and Diplomas at entry-level, to Advanced Diplomas, Postgraduate Diplomas, Master’s and Doctoral degrees. The Higher Certificate offers basic practical skills and knowledge in a particular discipline, while our Diploma programmes lay solid foundations for you to enter the world of work confidently and competently. The Advanced Diplomas give you a deeper understanding of a specific area of specialisation in your discipline. The Postgraduate Diplomas prepare you for the professional world, academia and provide entry to a Master’s degree and later Doctoral studies.
Entrepreneurship, Critical Thinking, Decolonisation and the Africanisation of education in the creative industries are key and central aims of our programmes. Localised and context-specific knowledge systems are embedded in every programme and provide this purposeful focus on visual art, design, dance, film, music, photography, theatre and performance. It is worth noting that TUT programmes aim to keep abreast with international trends and global influences, thereby ensuring success.
MEET OUR PARTNERS
University of Johannesburg
The Faculty of Humanities at the University of Johannesburg has a vibrant culture of scholarship that stretches across the social sciences, language studies, and the humanities. Researchers across the faculty are deeply committed to interdisciplinary research that addresses both the intellectual and social questions of the day, equally committed to social impact and scholarly rigour. The faculty is also proud of its exciting and engaging undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Alongside research, supervisory and teaching expertise, the faculty is also host to award-winning playwrights, poets, and documentary filmmakers.
south african journal of art history
South African Journal of Art History
An accredited journal for the Visual Arts and Architecture
Sponsored by the Art Historical Work Group of South Africa
A JOURNAL FOR THE VISUAL ARTS AND ARCHITECTURE
The South African Journal of Art History is an accredited, peer reviewed journal that publishes scholarly articles on the following subjects:
Art and architectural history
Art and architectural theory
Aesthetics and philosophy of art
Visual culture
Art and the environment
Film and photography
History of craft
History of design
www.sajournalofarthistory.org.za
city of tshwane
The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (as partner)
The City of Tshwane (CoT) Metropolitan Municipality is classified as a Category A municipality situated in the Gauteng Province that moves progressively towards the social and economic upliftment of local communities and ensures universal access to essential services that are affordable to all. Key strategic priorities are to enhance City safety, security and emergency services and be a caring City that supports the vulnerable and provides social relief.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Accepted applications to attend the Artivism Conference are, in every case, subject to these terms and conditions:
Payment terms: Payment is due in full upon completing and returning this registration form. We advise early registration and payment by bank transfer/payment to avoid disappointment. Admission to the Conference will be refused if payment has not been received.
Delegate substitution: Provided the fee has been paid in full within the time-frame as per our terms and conditions, substitutions at no extra charge can be made up to 15 working days before the start of the Conference. Send notification for any such changes in writing for the attention of the Conference Committee at FADArtivism26@tut.ac.za
Subject: Artivism Conference Substitute
Delegates cancellation: Must be received in writing and must be addressed to the Conference Committee at FADArtivism26@tut.ac.za
Subject line: Artivism Conference Cancellation.
Cancellation received 30 working days before the symposium start date entitles the cancelling delegate to a 50% credit on the amount. Any cancellation received less than 30 working days before the Symposium does not entitle the cancelling delegate to any refund, and the full fee must be paid.
Non-attendance without written cancellation is treated as a cancellation with no entitlement to any refund. However, the full fee must be paid where payment has not been made yet.
Speaker changes: Occasionally, it is necessary for reasons beyond our control to alter the programme's content and timing or the speakers.
Views of speakers: Views of speakers/artists at the Symposium are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Tshwane University of Technology or its employees.
Photographs/video recordings: Please note photographs and video footage will be taken throughout the Symposium. These will be used by TUT for marketing and publicity in our publications and on our website, social media and/or possible in 3rd party publications.
INDEMNITY:
The Faculty of Arts and Design, Tshwane University of Technology and partners, are absolved from and indemnified against any loss or damages as a result of substitution, alteration or cancellation/postponement of the Symposium arising from any cause whatsoever, including, without limitations, any fortuitous event, Act of God, unforeseen occurrence or any other event that renders performance of the Symposium impracticable or impossible.
The Tshwane University of Technology or staff will not be liable for any injuries, damages or loss of any nature to the visitors or loss of any property or articles.
Warranty of authority: The signatory warrants that he/she has the authority to sign this application and agrees to be personally liable to the Faculty of Arts and Design, Tshwane University of Technology, for payments falling due pursuant thereto should such warranty be breached.
Personal information: By completing this form you give the University consent to process your personal information. The University undertakes to process your personal information for the purpose of this Conference and in line with the requirements of the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013.
For inquiries, please email or visit
