History

1984

Zimbabwe. Symposium on African Theatre. Formation of the Union of African Performing artists (UAPA) with voluntary members from 15 African countries, both French-speaking and English-speaking.

1986

Denmark. Publication of the brochure by Daniel Labonne, sponsored by Unesco, the International Amateur Theatre Association (IATA) and Danish Amateur Theatre (DATS).

1987-1996

World Decade for Cultural Development (United Nations).

1987

London. African Theatre Exchange (ATEX) set up to assist in the management of unique school for performing artists in Africa. Advisers receive the Guidelines for the project produced by Daniel Labonne.

1988

Paris. The ATEX Round Table builds the partnership that establishes the feasibility of the project. The Scandinavian countries are the preferred countries to fund a project firmly inserted within integrated development by ATEX.

1988

Mauritius. Training methodologies used worldwide are evaluated – the African Symposium Workshop (AFSYMWORK). ATEX demonstrates its abilities as project manager.

1989

Zimbabwe. The youngest African country accepts to host the school of performing artists opened to Sub-Saharan Africa. Zimbabwe offers the Castle Arts located in Bulawayo.

1990

Cameroon. The ministries of culture of Africa agree to support THE regional training centre unanimously as the regional project for Africa within the World Decade for Cultural Development.

1990-1991

Bulawayo. Southern Africa. The pilot project delivers 2 international training programmes and 2 original stage productions. The experiment is a success. But funding is suddenly removed...

2000

London. Evaluation of the project by Daniel Labonne with the University of London (Goldsmith College).

2011

Publication of the book EMPOWERING THE PERFORMER by Daniel Labonne. The book tells the story and revive the project.

2011

Money being the main issue blocking progress, FACE is set up as a vital missing structure able to pick up the pieces from a successful experiment and to push for lasting progress.

2012

FOUNDATION FOR ARTS, CREATIVITY AND EXCHANGE (La Fondation pour les Arts, la Créativité et l'Echange)