On 4 January the fourth MAPAS  Mercado de las Artes Performativas del Atlántico Sur [South Atlantic Performing Arts Market], opened the registration period for artists, companies and agencies from Latin America, Africa and southern Europe plus for heads of programming worldwide who wish to take part in this international event to be held in Santa Cruz de Tenerife from 9 to 11 July. The market is organised by the Cabildo de Tenerife, unahoramenos and Circulart.

The councillor for Culture, Education, Youth and Sports of the Cabildo Insular de Tenerife, Ms. Concepción Rivero, pointed out that “we must stress the relevance of consolidating the island as a space that connects three continents in the field of culture and events like MAPAS make this possible”. She then added that “traditionally Canarian culture has been influenced by different sources including Africa, Europe and America, so to keep this link alive it is fundamental to back activities like MAPAS, because they allow cultural professionals to achieve synergies and reach new markets”.

MAPAS 2020 furthers its commitment to encourage the business of the live arts by giving creators and agencies the opportunity to make exchanges that boost the circulation of their works and cultural services in the global market through the synergies established with the programmers. The registration process will be managed via the virtual platform www.mapasmercadocultural.com. 

Creators and agencies

The deadline for creators and management, booking and live performing arts distribution agencies –music, theatre, dance, street art and circus– to submit their proposals is 13 March 2020. The result of the selection process -carried out by a consulting committee made up by experts with a renowned international career in the cultural sphere- will be published on 8 April.

The participation of artists and companies is open to individuals, companies, professional groups and collectives of music, theatre, dance, circus, and street art from Latin America, Africa and southern Europe (Spain and Portugal). Among other requirements, artists must provide proof of at least one year of experience; music professionals must have at least five live performances and performing arts artists a minimum of ten, while agencies must prove they have at least three years’ experience in their activities and register a minimum of two artistic groups or shows.

Programmers and cultural managers

Heads of programming, artistic directors, curators, festival organisers, cultural managers of public or private institutions and impresarios of the performing arts industries from around the world are invited to register and take part in the business meetings that are taking place on  10 and 11 July. They will also have the chance to learn about the innovative artistic proposals from the three continents that will be showcased on the island on these days. This will help to strengthen the live arts industry in a space for collaboration and exchange. Registering is free of charge and is open until 15 June.

In 2019 MAPAS welcomed 149 programmers from 40 different countries who had the chance to hold meetings with 138 artistic groups from 27 countries plus 30 management and distribution agencies from Africa, Latin America and southern Europe. These meetings are rounded off with music and performing arts showcases that are open to the general public. This gives the heads and managers the chance to see live a carefully selected sample of the shows by artists, groups and companies.

The participation figures of previous years places MAPAS as a leading international forum for the cultural and creative industries. It has become the first professional sales market for the live performing arts and music in the South Atlantic area and offers a space to collaborate and exchange , share, learn and circulate artistic projects generated in Africa, Latin America and southern Europe.