National Arts Council of Namibia Grants Application Results Announces 2023
The National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN) has recently announced the recipients of the grants for the first cycle of 2023, providing funding to eight successful applicants. These individuals and organizations have been awarded a total of N$167,232.75 to bring their creative projects to life.
Among the grant recipients are the Okahao Arts Centre for visual arts, the Osona Culture Festival for a cultural festival, Erick Schnack for a multi-disciplinary project, Nghidinwavali Nghipandulwa for a multi-disciplinary project, Maria Nakadiru Gideo for craft, Esther Ntumbu Nkomba for craft, Franciska Runguro Siganda for craft, and Filomine Muni Haikera for craft.
Recognizing the important role artists play in shaping culture and society, the NACN is dedicated to supporting artists and their creative endeavors. However, it acknowledges the challenges artists often face due to limited funding and resources, especially during unprecedented times.
In response to these challenges, the NACN has implemented a new approach to artist grants. Instead of providing a lump sum upfront, the grants will be disbursed in quarterly installments. This ensures that artists have a steady stream of income throughout the duration of their projects, enabling them to effectively manage their resources while receiving the necessary financial support.
The payment process for each project will begin upon signing the grant agreement, covering the entire quarter of the project. This streamlined approach ensures that all necessary payments are accounted for within the designated time frame, eliminating the need for project timeline extensions.
The NACN supports projects across various artistic disciplines, including craft, dance, literature, multidiscipline, music, theatre, and the visual arts, in alignment with its mandate.
To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate their projects’ capacity to address critical focus areas such as social protection and research, unearthing marginalized and indigenous arts in rural areas, addressing social issues like unemployment and gender-based violence, supporting the involvement of women, creating youth employment opportunities and opportunities for people living with disabilities, utilizing digital media for the creation of new works, and promoting capacity building and arts entrepreneurship.
By incorporating these focus areas, the NACN aims to foster a diverse and inclusive artistic landscape that tackles societal challenges and promotes growth within the arts sector.
The National Arts Fund, established through the National Arts Fund (NAF) Act, is dedicated to advancing Namibian contemporary and traditional arts, with a focus on artistically underserved communities. The NAF operates under the governance of the NACN.
Gretta Gaspar, NACN administrator, expressed the organization’s commitment to providing career-specific grants in arts and culture, emphasizing the importance of building the capacity of experts and creating a network of qualified professional artists and artisans.
The grants awarded by the NACN for 2023 represent a significant milestone in the support and promotion of Namibian arts and culture. It is hoped that the financial assistance provided to these talented individuals will pave the way for the development of innovative and transformative artistic projects that contribute to the cultural fabric of the nation.