Remarks by Abdramane Kamaté, Executive Director of the African Performing Arts Market (MASA), extracted from the interview conducted by Gilles Doré for CINARS – Connected Voices.
In this joint interview, Abdramane Kamaté discusses the stereotypes that still persist around African performing arts, the growing momentum of collaborations between African countries, and MASA’s transformation into a true ecosystem serving industry professionals.
What stereotypes or preconceived notions about African performing arts still persist in international networks?
For Abdramane Kamaté, the primary stereotype is referring to “African art” as a homogeneous bloc: “Africa is not a country; it is a continent of 54 countries, with an extraordinary diversity of cultures, aesthetics and artistic trajectories.” He adds that international professionals would benefit from coming “without preconceived expectations” to discover a scene “of remarkable richness and inventiveness.”
Are collaborations between African countries growing stronger?
Kamaté has no doubt: “African collaborations are no longer an ambition; they have become a reality.” For him, MASA is proof of this: “At each edition, professionals from across the continent come together to explore new partnerships.” He also emphasises that “exchanges between Francophone, Anglophone, Lusophone and Arabic-speaking communities are becoming increasingly frequent.”
“African collaborations are no longer an ambition; they have become a reality.”
Since its creation, how has MASA’s role evolved in shaping African professional networks?
“MASA began as a performing arts market,” recalls Kamaté. “Today, it has become a true ecosystem.” Beyond promoting works, the institution now supports “artists, producers and cultural entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, incubation via the MASA Lab and networking.” This support is intended to be ongoing: “We want to be there for them throughout their careers, not just during a week-long festival.”
About CINARS
CINARS is a Canadian organisation whose mission is to promote and support the export of the performing arts. Its main objectives are to encourage cultural creations emerging from the performing arts sector; promote commercial discussions between organisations specialising in production and show presentation; and to make Montreal a worldwide hub of performance art networking by organising the CINARS Biennale.
A true crossroads for the performing arts, the CINARS Biennale offers a strategic showcase for artists and promotes the circulation of works around the world. For one week, performances, workshops, networking events and conferences take place in the city’s major cultural venues.
The 2026 CINARS Biennale takes place from 9 to 14 November 2026 in Montreal, Canada. To register and discover the programme, visit cinars.org/en.
Source: “Africa today: Prosperous and thriving,” CINARS – Connected Voices, International Arts Manager (interview conducted by Gilles Doré).
