South Africa: Avril Joffe Under Scrutiny
Acclaimed Expert Avril Joffe Appointed as Joint UNESCO Chair in Cultural Entrepreneurship and Policy
Avril Joffe, a seasoned development economist specializing in arts and culture, has been appointed as the joint UNESCO Chair in Cultural Entrepreneurship and Policy alongside Professor Annick Schramme. With a Masters in Development Studies from the University of Sussex and over three decades of experience, she brings unique insights to the realm of cultural entrepreneurship, cultural policy, and the creative economy.
Joffe's academic accomplishments and passion for teaching have enabled her to build the capacity of the Cultural Policy and Management department at the University of the Witwatersrand, expanding course offerings to Honours, Masters, and Doctoral levels in cultural entrepreneurship, cultural leadership, creative markets, audience engagement, and the intricate intersection of culture, creativity, and the economy.
Beyond academia, Joffe's areas of expertise encompass policy development, organizational management, capacity building, and the evaluation of cultural and creative programs. Her research focuses on cultural policy, the cultural economy, informality, decent work, and urban development throughout Africa.
Recognized for her contributions, Joffe is a valued member of several prestigious international organizations, including the UNESCO Expert Facility on Cultural Policy and Governance, the Global Creative Economy Council for Creative PEC, and the International Cultural Relations Research Alliance (ICCRA). She lends her expertise to international juries and adjudication panels, serves on the editorial boards of Public Humanities and the African Journal of Creative Economy, and has previously served on the National Arts Council board in South Africa.
Throughout her distinguished career, Joffe has been committed to exploring and enhancing the role of culture and creativity in socio-economic development, with a particular emphasis on the complex dynamics of urban environments, the informal cultural economy, and creative work.
- Avril Joffe's career focus encompasses policy development in the context of the cultural and creative economy.
- Joffe's research significantly contributes to the understanding of cultural policy, the cultural economy, informality, decent work, and urban development throughout Africa.
- In the realm of education and self-development, Joffe expanded course offerings in her department at the University of the Witwatersrand, focusing on cultural entrepreneurship, creative markets, audience engagement, and more.
- Joffe's expertise extends to skills training, capacity building, and organizational management in the arts and culture sector.
- Her work has been instrumental in the intersection of culture, creativity, and the economy, contributing significantly to career development and personal growth.
- As a recognized expert, Joffe's contributions to international organizations like the UNESCO Expert Facility on Cultural Policy and Governance and the ICCRA demonstrate her global impact on cultural policy and entrepreneurship.
