Ministry of Youth Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary Fumba Chama officiated at the launch of the First National Bank (FNB) visual arts competition which took place at the Visual Arts Council(VAC) in Lusaka this morning.
The FNB Visual Arts Competition has been organized as part of the bank’s 15th year anniversary celebrations and in collaboration with VAC to allow artists who are 16 years old and above countrywide participate in illustrating Zambia’s 60th Independence anniversary with a deliberate skew on the positive social impact of the country’s cultural heritage.
Mr Chama who officiated on behalf of the Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts , Hon. Elvis Nkandu, MP said Government values partnerships that aim at investing in Arts to contribute to Job creation and improved livelihoods as stipulated in the Eighth National Development Plan
He called on private sector players to emulate FNB in partnering with the Ministry and VAC in fostering visual arts promotion and development by creating an environment where artists can showcase their talents
He said the mandate of the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts is to create an enabling environment that allows creatives to not only thrive but also contribute to economic development.
He added that the ministry through the National Arts Council ( NAC) is dedicated to nurturing, promoting and advancing the rich tapestry of Artistic Endeavors that define the country’s identity in line with the National Arts Policy.
Meanwhile FNB Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications, Kasali Mwaba Kaingu said the competition which runs from today 9th April, 2024 to 9th May , 2024 allows artists to enter their 2-dimension or 3-dimension art pieces for a chance to win prizes.
Ms Kaingu explained that during the competition, 50 entries will be shortlisted from the nationwide submission following professional and transparent adjudication.
She added that the 50 finalists will have an opportunity for their art to be displayed at an exhibition that will be hosted at the Henry Tayali Art Gallery where the public can view and purchase some of the art pieces.
She further said the top 3 entries will be awarded K60,000, K50,000 and K40,000 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prize respectively at an award ceremony in May 2024 adding that the 3 winning entries will be displayed in the new FNB Head Office.
The 50 nominees will be announced on 18th May, 2024 and the winners will be announced on 31st May, 2024.
