LIGHT YOUR FIRE

2026 MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table Applications Now Open!

MTN Bushfire and the Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC) are joining forces once again to elevate opportunities for artists and arts industry professionals. ARMC is a female-led, executive-focused music industry conference that connects African music to the Worldwide market.

In line with MTN Bushfire’s “Bring Your Fire” call to action for positive social and environmental change, this partnership reinforces the festival’s longstanding commitment to supporting sustainable arts development. This is expressed annually through the MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table arts industry workshops.

MTN Bushfire and ARMC’s collective vision to connect Eswatini and Africa to the world by hosting international delegates through a range of workshops continues to be one of Africa’s leading collaborations, building bridges between the African and European music markets.

The MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table (ART) is Eswatini’s foremost arts industry development workshop programme. Its regional and international reach makes it a powerful platform for creative industry growth through policy and business advocacy. The workshop hosts local, regional and international speakers, all with expertise across various pillars of the music business ecosystem. The Arts Round Table connects aspiring multi-disciplinary artists with a select number of seasoned festival performers to discuss thematically driven conversations around the professionalisation and development of the arts. 

The MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table 2026 will be held on Friday, 29 May 2026 at House On Fire, Eswatini.

MTN Bushfire Arts Round Table 2026 Themes

1. Driving Innovation – Embracing AI in the Creative Industry
Empowering creatives to use AI to their advantage while safeguarding their work from unethical or unauthorised use by AI companies.

2. Mental Health in the Creative Industry
Strategies for balancing a demanding creative career with mental wellbeing, including practical techniques to manage stress and overwhelm.

3. Developing Independence – The Importance of Attending Networking Events
Learn how to attract the right bookers and managers and discover why strategic networking and attending events is key to advancing your career in the creative industry.

4. Building Bridges – Artist Export & Cross-Continental Collaboration
Exploring global collaboration to grow artist export and cross-continental creative exchange (Arts Incubator Corridor / Reeperbahn / ADE / CollaboNation).

Online Workshops

MTN Bushfire’s ongoing partnership with ARMC has resulted in an exciting opportunity for creatives everywhere to tune in to a series of arts industry online panel workshops.

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