GBVF Symposium Will Focus on Resonant Voices: Artivism Against Silence

The Faculty of Arts and Design, in collaboration with the South African Journal of Art History (SAJAH) and the City of Tshwane (CoT), proudly announces the 3rd Annual GBVF) Symposium.

This three-day event, hosted by the Research Niche Area (Artivism as a tool to combat GBV violence(s)), will focus on Multi-vocality, Interdisciplinary and Creative Expressions in addressing GBVF within higher education and society.

Recognising the urgency and importance of addressing GBVF within the higher education context, we invite scholars, artivists, researchers and practitioners to contribute to this dynamic gathering, exploring innovative, arts-based approaches to artivism, healing and advocacy.

Symposium 2026 seeks to foreground the unique role that the creative arts – including, but not limited to fine arts, performance, music, literature, design and digital media – can play in addressing GBVF. The symposium will examine how these mediums can help shift the dial on entrenched gender inequalities, challenge harmful societal norms and offer transformative strategies for prevention, intervention and healing.

The symposium will provide a platform for multi-vocal perspectives on GBVF, recognising the diversity of experience and approaches necessary to confront this complex issue. We aim to create a space for rich interdisciplinary dialogue where academic research, creative practice and lived experience intersect to generate actionable strategies for change.

We encourage submissions from a wide range of disciplines – including but not limited to visual and performing arts, design, gender studies, sociology, psychology and education. We are particularly interested in contributions that reflect collaborative and community-engaged approaches.

Please note that all accepted abstracts will be eligible for publication in a special edition of the South African Journal of Art History after a rigorous peer review process. Interested participants should therefore take note of the deadlines for article submissions.

We invite proposals for academic papers, panel discussions, performances, workshops, exhibitions and multimedia presentations.

For more information please visit www.tutfadshowcase.ac.za or https://www.tutfadshowcase.ac.za/gbvfsymposium2026-call-for-participation