Government has urged artistes to embrace digital platforms to enhance their work, reach wider audiences and explore alternative sources of funding.
Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts Permanent Secretary, Kangwa Chileshe, said digital platforms provided artistes with opportunities to showcase their work to wider audiences while attracting potential funders and partners.
Chileshe said this in a speech read on his behalf by Director of Arts Esther Ngambi during the 2026 National Theatre Arts Association of Zambia (NATAAZ) Senior Festival in Chingola.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting theatre and other art forms, noting that the arts sector played an important role in national development.
“The government supported arts associations in 2026 with grants of K100,000 each to strengthen their operations and activities,” Chileshe said.
Meanwhile, Chingola District Commissioner, Howard Kamwandi, encouraged artists to take advantage of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to enhance their artistic work and grow their creative enterprises.
Kamwandi said artistes should explore available opportunities under the fund to support projects that contribute to employment creation and community development.
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National Arts Council of Zambia Chairperson, Maureen Lilanda, called on theatre practitioners to strategically position themselves to contribute to the Grow Zambia Agenda.
“Theatre practitioners should focus on adding value to their discipline and developing sustainable initiatives that could create employment opportunities for talented young people,” Lilanda said.
NATAAZ Chairperson, Moses Mtonga, thanked Government for the various forms of support rendered to the association.
“Theatre practitioners were also working towards contributing to the Grow Zambia Agenda by promoting the arts and creating opportunities for artists,” Mtonga said.
This year’s NATAAZ Senior Festival, which coincides with the association’s 40th anniversary, is being sponsored by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and the Zambia National Service (ZNS).
The festival is expected to produce nominees for the Ngoma Awards in the theatre category, alongside winners from the intermediate category, which comprises colleges and universities.
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