National Arts Council on nationwide tour
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has recently launched a three-month long “State of the Arts” tour across the country.
This tour aims to collect information on the activities of different stakeholders in the sector, as well as to address the impact of COVID-19 on the operations of artists and creatives.
“We want to know who is in the sector. What do they do? Where do they do it? How do they do it? And what are the challenges that they face? This will then inform our actions as the board to respond to the needs of the sector in whatever we do,” said Deputy Chairperson of the NACZ board Mr Marcus Gora.
The tour started at Rimuka Hall in Kadoma Mashonaland West province, with a second meeting held in Marondera, Mashonaland East province.
The Importance of the State of the Arts Tour
The State of the Arts tour is a feedback and communication process between the NACZ board and stakeholders in the sector.
The NACZ board aims to support the country’s creatives and arts managers by hearing from them and finding ways to help them.
During the meetings, artists, promoters, producers, leaders of arts associations, academics, and managers expressed the challenges they faced due to the pandemic and requested assistance to re-establish their operations.
Digital Skills Workshops
The artists also called for workshops in provinces and districts to equip them with digital skills on marketing and selling their works online to generate revenue.
This request highlights the need for artists to adapt to the changing world of technology and social media.
By acquiring digital skills, artists can connect with their audience and expand their reach beyond their local communities.
Establishment of a One-Stop Shop
Participants also called for the establishment of a one-stop shop for government services that artists require for their operations.
The increasing number of entities that artists deal with in the conduct of their duties has made the process complicated and cumbersome.
By establishing a one-stop-shop, artists can access the services they require efficiently, allowing them more time to focus on their craft.
Registration Fees
During the meetings, the participants also highlighted the issue of registration fees.
The registration fees charged by NACZ for groups, associations, and promoters were described as paltry, and the artists suggested that they be reviewed.
According to Lioness Shumbakadzi, leader of the Ninga Dzenharira Mbira Group, associations pay less than US$1 to be registered with the Arts Council, yet artists pay up to US$30 to join associations.
This concern highlights the need for fair fees to be established for registration to enable associations to deliver their services effectively.
The “State of the Arts tour” is moving to Bulawayo and Matabeleland North provinces next
week.
In April the tour will host artists in Harare, Masvingo, and Matabeleland South while
the last leg will see meetings being hosted in Manicaland, Midlands and Mashonaland
Central provinces in May.
