The National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN) today released the results of its third cycle of grant recipients, honouring 30 outstanding artists and cultural projects across the country.
The council says in this cycle alone, it will pay out about N$1 million to these artists and cultural projects, its largest single cycle investment to date.
“This investment is used in the development and realisation of different art projects,” NACN administrator Gretta Gaspar.
She says the awarded projects reflect the growing depth and innovation in creative and cultural industries, supporting further the NACN’s thrust for inclusive growth, capacity building, and professionalisation of the arts.
“This significant funding injection follows a record year for Namibian arts.
“Cycle 1 saw N$331 000 dispersed to 12 applicants, and N$783 000 dispersed to 20 applicants in cycle 2,” Gaspar says.
With the end of cycle 3, the NACN says it has invested a cumulative amount of N$2 million in the creative and cultural industry within 2025, financing a cumulative number of 62 projects that reflect the richness and diversity of the nation’s cultural landscape.
According to the council, the successful projects of cycle 3 had been selected through a competitive and intensive appraisal process.
Mushe Musomi of Yenda Summer Festival, historically staged at Katima Mulilo, is among the recipients.
Musoni says the grant is a huge encouragement for them.
“This allows us to bring some of the best Namibian artists to Katima Mulilo and give the people there a world-class entertainment experience that they don’t get to enjoy regularly.
“To me, it’s not about staging an event it’s about making individuals happy and proud as a community and proving to everyone that there is great entertainment outside of the capital,” she says.
She says she uses huge funds to support key elements of the festival, including production (stage, sound, and light) and artist pay, so that artists can be reasonably rewarded for their services.
“We’re also using this platform to unite national and local creatives, offering up-and-coming talent from Katima Mulilo an avenue to learn, share, and shine on the same stage as some of the country’s best performers,” she says.
Another beneficiary, Lahja Musimani, a representative of knitting, batik and painting, says the grant is an opportunity to innovate, manufacture, and leave a lasting legacy.
“It will help us to harness our ability to empower others through art, stimulate creativity, and build connections in our society. We will use it to promote local artists, host innovative workshops, and promote arts as a tool for education, entrepreneurship, and effecting positive change,” says Musimani.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
