Talanoa is a pan-Moana Pacific word that describes a process of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue.

Inspired by talanoa – the Talanoa Arts Forum (TAF) is a Sāmoa-based curatorial agency setup to facilitate the weaving of infrastructure that support cultural and artistic exchange, between local and the international community in Sāmoa. Talanoa Arts Forum is a multidisciplinary cultural platform working with private and public entities to activate spaces for cultural production and promotion across all creative disciplines, spanning from heritage, visual arts, literature, film, fashion, dance, design, and music to name a few.

We also develop and provide thoughtful and impactful cultural projects including exhibitions, residencies, workshops, performances, public programs, activations, consultancy, screenings, outreach initiatives, mentorships, collaborations, forums, think tanks and civic engagements in partnership with community groups, NGO’s, government agencies, diplomatic core, museum curators, business leaders, scholars and the arts community in a workmanlike manner in accordance with generally accepted industry standards.

Lastly, Talanoa Arts Forum aims to enhance Moana Pacific's creative industries, knowledge economy, and leverage its soft power for an Indigenous-led advancement.

‘Fagufagu revival and preservation’ (2024-ongoing)

The fagufagu is a traditional bamboo nose flute instrument once revered in pre-contact Sāmoa. The revival of fagufagu in Sāmoa led by Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava includes research, consultation, cultivation of the ‘ofe or the bamboo plant through to the production, teaching and playing the fagufagu. It involves working in close collaboration with traditional knowledge holders, village chiefs, local high schools, conversationists, museum curators and the public sector to help share and perpetuate the knowledge of fagufagu in Sāmoa and throughout the Moana Pacific. The project also aims to draw the cultural connection between Indigenous music and the natural environment to promote conservation and restoration.

The fagufagu project stems from Tau’ili’ili’s previous docuseries entitled Instruments of the Moana (2024) which focused on the origin narratives of 8 sound producing instruments from Sāmoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Niue, Solomon Islands and Fiji, supported by SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, Mahi Moana Inc and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage of the Government of New Zealand.

Talanoa Arts Forum stemmed from an educational platform entitled Talanoa Forum (2022-2023) curated by Yuki Kihara which brought together artists, activists, scholars and policymakers to engage in critical discussions and to collectively imagine future possibilities. 

Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava is a musician and an advocate for Moana Pacific musics. His advocacy extended to presenting several award-winning podcasts and docuseries on Moana Pacific music; and building mechanisms to protect Moana Pacific composers through copyrights protection. 

After working locally, regionally and internationally over the past two decades, Yuki and Tau’ili’ili have come together to establish Talanoa Arts Forum as a multidisciplinary platform by combining their extensive experience, expertise and finesse into their role as curators and creative producers, with an aim to nurture and foster artistic and intellectual activity in Sāmoa and across the Moana Pacific.