RUNDU, 24 APR – A workshop on art and culture entrepreneurship and craftsmanship started here on Monday.
It targets, among others, music producers, fashion designers, singers, painters and sculptors in the Kavango East Region.
The workshop is conducted by the Arts Foundation of Kavango and Artists Association in conjunction with the Directorate of Arts in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and with funding from the National Art Gallery of Namibia.
It aims to teach artists in the region how to manage their businesses, market their products and write business proposals.
Speaking at the official opening of the event, Deputy Director in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture in the region, Christine Shilima said it is through arts that history is preserved.
“This workshop is trying to help you realise how important your talent is and how you can contribute to the vision of our country,” said Shilima.
She said the workshop is also one way of empowering artists to develop their skills and become better entrepreneurs, who will export products – tangible and intangible – to support the development of the country’s economy.
“Through music, artists will employ dancers; through craft, they will need the help of someone or two people to clean and polish these items. Through exhibitions, their products could be bought, which in the end improves their lives.”
The deputy director further said through arts, the region can have institutions such as galleries and museums, which can attract tourists to visit the region.
Close to 20 participants are taking part in the workshop.
One of them, Rosalia Joao who specialises in beadwork, said she is eager to learn from other artists on how she can improve and expand her bead making business through marketing.
The workshop is the first of its kind in the region.
It ends 08 May.
NAMPA
Workshop on arts and culture entreneurship on in Rundu
