POLICY & RESEARCH
At Scholarly Art, we believe that effective cultural policy can strengthen creative practice, empower communities, and support sustainable cultural economies. Our policy papers capture research, analysis, and thought leadership to guide decision-making and foster impactful cultural strategies.
AI Governance and the Future of Creative Practice: African and Global Perspective
By
Tolu Ogunleye (Drtonez)
Founder & Principal
Institution:
Scholarly Art – Art,Cultural Policy and Cultural Research Initiative
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This policy paper examines the evolving governance of artificial intelligence and its implications for creative practice across African and global cultural economies. As AI technologies reshape cultural production, questions of authorship, labour rights, intellectual property, and cultural value become increasingly urgent. The paper explores emerging policy approaches and proposes strategic pathways for aligning technological innovation with sustainable and equitable creative ecosystems. across African and global contexts.
Creative Economy Policy : Advancing the Arts as a Strategic Economic Sector in Africa and Emerging Markets
Author -
Tolu Ogunleye
Founder & Principal
Institution
Scholarly Art – Art,Cultural Policy and Cultural Research Initiative
Publication Date - 2026
Executive Summary
The Creative Economy Policy Campaign conducted by Scholarly Art examined the economic and cultural potential of arts and creative industries in Africa, with case studies from Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. The campaign explored how supportive policy frameworks, institutional backing, and funding mechanisms can stimulate innovation, generate employment, and strengthen national cultural identity.
Key Findings:
- The creative sector remains under-recognized in national economic planning, limiting institutional support and strategic investment.
- Access to finance is often limited, with many creative entrepreneurs reporting difficulty securing formal funding.
- Policy fragmentation across government agencies reduces coherence and effective support.
- The sector’s potential for cultural diplomacy and soft power remains underutilized, despite global interest.
FAIR PAY FOR ARTISTS
Addressing Structural Inequality in Africa’s Creative Economy
Authors
Edward Ngbodi
Policy & Research Lead
Tolu Ogunleye (Drtonez)
Founder & Principal
Institution
Scholarly Art – Art, Cultural Policy & Research Initiative
Date of Publication – 2026
Executive Summary
The Fair Pay for Artists Campaign, conducted by Scholarly Art, examined the economic realities facing artists and cultural practitioners across Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and other emerging African creative markets. While Africa’s creative industries show strong growth potential, many artists face precarious economic conditions characterized by unstable income, low compensation, and limited access to social protection.
During the campaign’s qualitative research phase, including focus group discussions and structured interviews, 95% of participating Nigerian artists reported never receiving direct earnings from their creative work. Many respondents also highlighted pay‑to‑perform or pay‑to‑exhibit systems, low royalty payouts, and weak intellectual property protection as major barriers to economic sustainability.
This policy paper presents evidence‑informed recommendations, including fair compensation frameworks, strengthened intellectual property enforcement, and support mechanisms for sustainable livelihoods. An evaluation framework is provided to ensure measurable policy impact across African creative sectors.