Artitude 2026, the flagship initiative of Artlife Matters, took place in October under the theme “BEYOND.” Hosted at Achimota School in Accra, the programme brought together artists, educators, students, cultural practitioners, policymakers and creative industry stakeholders to explore how art can transcend traditional educational and institutional boundaries to create meaningful opportunities for young creatives.
The project addressed one of the most pressing challenges within Ghana’s creative ecosystem: the disconnect between classroom-based arts education and the realities of professional creative practice. Through international artist residencies, hands-on workshops, community mural production, art talks, film screenings and industry dialogue, Artitude provided young people with opportunities to learn directly from practising artists and creative professionals from Ghana, Italy and Rwanda.
The project also celebrated the legacy of Kofi Antubam, whose artistic vision and contribution to Ghana’s national identity continue to inspire contemporary creative education and public art practice.
One of the major outcomes of this year’s edition was the establishment of the Artitude Creative Library, conceived as a living and accessible resource for students, educators, artists, researchers and the wider public. Developed through an international call for creative materials, the library brings together books, publications, archival materials, films, visual resources and other creative content donated by contributors from different parts of the world.
Rather than serving simply as a repository, the library has been designed as an active space for learning, research, exchange and creative discovery. Through its physical location at the Art School of Achimota School and its digital platform, the initiative is expected to engage thousands of young people by making quality creative resources more accessible across Ghana and beyond.
The physical library is open on selected days, as indicated in its online schedule, while digital collections and additional services are available through the Artitude Creative Library website: https://library.artlifematters.org/
The programme reached a major milestone on 10 October with the Artitude Conference and Expo, which brought together educators, policymakers, artists, cultural institutions and creative industry professionals to examine how arts education can become more responsive to the rapidly evolving creative economy.
Discussions throughout the conference highlighted a significant gap between what is currently taught in many visual arts programmes and the practical demands of today’s creative industries. Students, teachers and creative practitioners expressed concerns that existing curricula place considerable emphasis on theory, while offering limited opportunities for practical application, professional development and industry engagement.
Delivering the keynote address, Paolo Mele (PhD) emphasised the need to rethink conventional approaches to education, stating: “The classroom is no longer enough. By treating the local environment as a living laboratory, education becomes a situated discipline. Students learn not in isolation, but in resonance with the physical and social realities of their terrain.”
The Expo also officially commissioned the Artitude Creative Library and unveiled a commemorative mural honouring Kofi Antubam. The event featured exhibitions, performances, mentorship sessions and networking opportunities, providing a platform for interaction between emerging creatives and established industry professionals.
During the opening ceremony, Laura Ranalli, Ambassador of Italy to Ghana and Togo, highlighted the importance of the continuing collaboration between Regione Puglia and the Accra-based NGO Artlife Matters. She recognised their shared commitment to strengthening artistic and cultural exchange between Ghana and Italy.
Through the theme BEYOND, Artitude reaffirmed the importance of extending arts education beyond the acquisition of technical skills. The programme demonstrated how creative education can serve as a pathway to cultural identity, innovation, entrepreneurship, social participation and international collaboration.
By connecting education with professional practice, local heritage with global exchange, and emerging creatives with wider professional networks, Artitude 2026 contributed to building a more connected, resilient and sustainable creative ecosystem for Ghana.
The 2026 edition was delivered in collaboration with an extensive network of Ghanaian and international cultural organisations, creative practitioners and educational institutions. These included RAMDOM (Italy), Polo Biblio Museale di Lecce (Italy), Associazione Istituto di Culture Mediterranee (Italy), Iamadinkra, Nkyinkyim Museum, The Revival, National Commission on Culture, 167/B Street, Art Teachers Association Ghana and the Foundation for Contemporary Art Ghana.
Artitude 2026 was supported through the Otto per Mille funds of the Waldensian Church (Chiesa Valdese). The project also benefited from significant institutional partnerships, in-kind contributions and the generosity of individuals and organisations that donated creative materials to the Artitude Creative Library.
Their collective support made possible the artist residencies, educational workshops, public art commissions, exhibitions, knowledge-exchange activities and the establishment of a lasting creative resource for future generations.
