Master plan

Drawing from the key points mentioned so far, I present my idea for a cultural space in/near Dakar, Senegal. The broadest aim of this space is to increase awareness of the importance and magnitude of the crafting sector in Senegal, as well as to provide a framework towards the partial formalization and organization of a classically primarily informal sector.

My model proposes a site with two main areas:

Gallery: Art galleries can be a powerful tool for increasing education about the importance of informal economies in making a nation via the showcase of the diverse cultural and economic practices that shape social fabric of society. By showcasing the creative products of informal economies, galleries can help to raise awareness of the role that informal economies play in the social and economic development of a nation, as well as highlighting the importance of preserving and supporting these practices.

Through the display of art and artifacts produced by informal economies, I aim to create dialogue surrounding the cultural significance and economic value of these practices. By engaging with visitors and facilitating discussions around the contributions of informal economies to national identity and economic development, this gallery can help to foster an understanding and appreciation of the role that informal economies play in society.

Moreover, the galleries can help to promote the inclusion of informal economies in public policy discussions by spreading awareness of the challenges faced by informal entrepreneurs, and therefore advocating for the recognition of their contributions to society. By partnering with informal economy stakeholders, such as artists and artisans, galleries can help to promote greater participation and engagement of these actors in policy-making processes.

Ultimately, these galleries should serve as a platform for promoting a more inclusive and participatory approach to economic development that recognizes the importance of informal economies in shaping the cultural, social, and economic fabric of a nation. By fostering a greater appreciation , it can help to promote a more equitable and sustainable economic development, and contribute to the creation of a more prosperous and inclusive society.

Stage: The aim of this project includes using the stage as a space to share oral histories and stories, including the informal economy of storytelling into the mix. Oral histories of working conditions within informal economies can serve as powerful tools for raising awareness of the position of informal economies in society. By documenting and sharing the experiences of informal workers, these oral histories shared can help to shed light on the overlooked contributions that informal economies make to the larger economy.

Oral histories can highlight the unique challenges and struggles that informal workers face on a daily basis, including issues related to job security, health and safety, and access to resources and a support service. By bringing these issues to the forefront of public discourse, oral histories can help to mobilise and evoke support for policies and initiatives that address the needs and rights of informal workers, as well as promote greater understanding and respect for their contributions to society.

Area 2: Market space and workshop space

Market space: I aim to help formalise an economy by providing a platform for transactions and business to occur in a transparent and regulated manner, leading to increased trust and confidence among participants (increased social capital), which can encourage more businesses to operate within the formal sector. Additionally, these formalised transactions can generate a paper trail that helps to document economic activity and facilitate tax collection. As such, this market can play an important role in promoting economic growth and development of the area by helping to expand the formal sector.

When an economy is formalized, businesses and workers are more likely to be registered and regulated by the government. This can help to provide job security by providing workers with legal protections, such as minimum wage laws, health and safety regulations, and the right to form trade unions, among many other benefits. Formal businesses are more likely to provide benefits such as sick leave, vacation time, and retirement plans, aspects of the formal national economy, which can help to provide workers with a greater sense of financial security.

In addition, formalisation can help to increase access to credit and financial services. Formal businesses are often required to maintain financial records and pay taxes, which can help to establish a credit history and make it easier to obtain loans and other financial services.

It can help to improve working conditions by promoting compliance with labour laws and regulations. Formal businesses are more likely to provide safe working environments, training and skills development programs, and opportunities for career advancement. This can help to improve the quality of life for workers and their families, contributing to overall socioeconomic development.

Workshops: The cardinal significance of craft workshops cannot be overemphasized in upholding traditional techniques and their perpetuity through generations. Workshops afford a forum for the transmission of knowledge, skills, and values from accomplished artisans to apprentices, tourists and enthusiasts, thereby ensconcing that these traditions are not lost to time. By preserving and propagating these techniques, craft workshops can contribute to the cultural patrimony of a society and reinforce the conservation of its artistic identity.

The workshops in this project aim to provide opportunities for experimentation and innovation while adhering to traditional techniques. By assembling master artisans and burgeoning craftspeople, they can establish a dynamic milieu that spurs the exchange of ideas and the development of novel approaches. This can engender the creation of new-fangled products and designs that build on the bedrock of traditional techniques, all while captivating the interest of contemporary and tourist audiences.

Furthermore, workshops can serve as an instrument for economic empowerment for artisans and their communities by facilitating access to training, resources, and markets. They can assist artisans in honing the skills and knowledge necessary to create high-calibre products that are in demand. This can result in augmented income and ameliorated livelihoods for artisans and their families, while also being able to contribute to the advancement of local economies.

In summary, craft workshops and teaching opportunities are indispensable for the preservation and propagation of traditional techniques, the cultivation of innovation, and the economic empowerment of artisans and their communities. By creating a platform for the transmission of knowledge, experimentation, and collaboration, these workshops play a pivotal role in safeguarding the perpetuation of traditional techniques and promoting the artistic and cultural affluence of Senegalese society.