Government has advised artists in the country to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship as one way of monetising their talents.
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Owen Chomanika made the remarks in Mangochi during the opening of a three-day “Investment School of Creative Arts” workshop organised by the Copyright Fund under the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA).
Addressing the gathering, Chomanika emphasised the need for the creative sector to move with time, saying in other countries, artists are reaping the fruits of their labour.
“Colleagues, time has come for musicians, play writers, Poets and others to become successful millionaires or billionaires like we see in other countries where artists are rewarded,” he said.
Chomanika, who was the guest of honour at the function added that the government is ready to support the country’s Creative sector.
“As a government, we believe the creative sector is crucial in disseminating policies related to the Agenda 2063, which Malawi is pushing to achieve,” he said.
During the workshop, artists were trained on how they can enter into profitable contracts, identify potential threats to their business or talents and how to maximize their visibility, just to mention a few.
Speaking on the sidelines of the workshop, which ended on Friday, Copyright Fund manager Blessings Gift Botha said he was excited to engage with the creative sector, saying the knowledge artists have acquired through the workshop will empower them financially.
“Personally, I am very excited to engage with our creative artists because I know or believe that the knowledge they have acquired here is empowering financially,” Botha said.
The “Investment School of Creative Arts” initiative is being run with financial support from the NICO Holdings Limited which pumped in a grant of K45 million.
The first group of musicians, poets, graphic designers, event promoters, actors and fashion designers have undergone the training with others scheduled to undergo a similar training soon.
Miracle Chinga, one of the country’s renowned gospel artists described the training as an eye opener.
