COTA calls government for strong support in arts

The College of the Arts (COTA) has called on the Namibian government to increase support in the creative industries as a significant step to unlock economic growth and productivity. 

This plea was made while acknowledging recent government signs of interest in the creative industries.

COTA has maintained that more efforts need to be made to uplift the creative industry as a national priority.

COTA conceded that, while previous funding, partnerships and policy initiatives have delivered notable momentum, the lack of basic infrastructure and stable support remain an impediment to providing quality training and scaling training programmes for social impact.

Renowned artist, storyteller and educator Ndasuunje “Papa” Shikongeni has spoken passionately about the creative industry. 

He said the position of arts education is crucial to society today,  which extends beyond brushstrokes and melodies.

He added that arts education is about nurturing cognitive development, emotional intelligence and communication skills. 

Shikongeni further stated that, at COTA, students are encouraged to express thoughts and emotions constructively, becoming perspective and creative thinkers who not only excel in arts but also in other areas of life.

COTA said the creative sector continues to be underestimated and devalued as a key engine of the country's social and economic growth. 

However, although the creative industry holds potential to drive economic development, through youth empowerment, innovations, cultural identity and potential to create youth employment, the industry continues to receive lighter support and investments in comparison to other sectors.

COTA stressed out some of the challenges that flagged its growth, such as dilapidated facilities, poor alignment of the institution to the national goals and visions, as well as shortage of advanced tools that power the institution in acquainting skills and knowledge that level economic development in the modern world. 

The institution affirmed its readiness to play a crucial role in equipping the generation with creativeness and innovative skills that can transmit Namibian stories globally and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic development.