Interarts, a non-governmental organization based in Spain (www.interarts.net), will be undertaking research to map the creative sector in seven countries in Western Africa: Benin, Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Togo. The aim of the research is to determine current trends and development opportunities within the cultural field, as well as to identify potential partners for collaboration.

Arterial Network has approached Interarts to use this study to provide opportunities for researchers (senior students, recent graduates, etc) in those countries to acquire experience in this field. The researchers - one per country - will assist the Interarts consultants on an ad hoc basis in their mapping exercises over a period of a few weeks. This work will be largely voluntary and provide an opportunity for the selected researchers to further develop their skills and to network with international researchers. Arterial Network will provide a nominal amount to each researcher to cover incidental costs related to the largely desktop research.

Research in Mali and Burkina Faso will be conducted in December, while research in the other countries will largely be undertaken in the first two months of 2010.

Interested researchers based in Benin, Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Togo should submit an application including a covering letter, a CV and two letters of reference in support of their work as researchers to Margerie Vacle by Thursday 26 November 2009.