16 Apr 2013

Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has sponsored the development of Thapong Visual Arts Centre with P1.5 million.

The sponsorship, Minister Shaw Kgathi said, goes towards the upgrading of the center’s infrastructure. 

Minister Kgathi said the development of the proposed facilities will afford artists the opportunity to work in state of the art facilities and allow them freedom to express themselves and display their talent.

“It is my sincere hope that these facilities will be put to optimum use and allow equitable access to artists including our vulnerable groups,” he said.

This, the minister said will afford young artists the opportunity to develop and chart career options.

Minister Kgathi also reiterated government’s commitment to the growth and development of the arts in Botswana saying the sponsorship is a clear mission towards the diversification of the economy and creating employment through promotion of the creative industries.

He said the ministry has intention to elevate the arts, both performing and visual to become the anchor for creation in the country.

He revealed that his ministry spends over P50 million a year on programmes such as the constituency arts competitions, cultural festivals and President’s day competitions as a sign of developing and promoting the arts.

Minister Kgathi also recognised and appreciated the significant contribution and commitment of other strategic partners in the development of the arts.

He also applauded Thapong Visual Arts Center for being a torch bearer for other non-governmental organisations involved with the development and promotion of visual arts.

He said the center has a long history of building the skills and confidence of young artists in the discipline of visual art whilst entrenching the culture of commitment, dedication and hard work among practitioners.

Thapong Visual Arts Center treasure, Mesh Moeti said the vision of face lifting the center dates some years back adding that though they were given negative response due to the financial crisis, their dream never died.

Moeti said he was happy that government considered the decision to make this investment when money is hard to come by.

He said the improvement of the center’s facilities will go a long way in improving the lives of artists, especially those tho practice on  full time basis.

“Through the improvement of our facilities, we want to improve our capacity to reach out to more promising artists and develop their potential,” he said.

When complete, Moeti said the project will greatly improve both the look and capacity of the center.

He highlighted that there will be increase in the exhibition area and the place will be turned into world class arts center.

He said they will put the facilities to good use as they have a massive plan such as the incubation and residency exchange programmes through which experienced artists from other countries will come and work from the center.

Through the sponsorship, the center will build artists’ studios which will cater for various disciplines of the centre such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, print making and multi media.

Other improvements are on the craft shop, administration blocks as well as ablution facilities. ENDS