British Council moves in to propel creative industry
The British Council has announced some of its programmes for the year 2019/20.
Project Officer in the country, Dennis Imaan, said Tuesday they have numerous global opportunities for the creative industry.
Imaan said they are working with creatives from the ages of 18 to 35 in the country and Southern African region fostering connections between them and the United Kingdom audiences creative people.
“It is all about developing skills and networks that lead to more work for them. We are expanding our arts and creative enterprise in 2019/20 and, over the next few years, we expect to work with hubs, collectives and hub-like centres in the country that offer services and training to young creative tech and social entrepreneurs, equipping the hubs with networks, content and skills,” Imaan said.
Some of the activities British Council has undertaken include the A1, Connect Hubs Coaching retreat which took place two weeks ago in Zimbabwe and attracted hub managers among them, Kelvin Gumbi from 1 Five Entertainment, Deborah Chikwana from Creative Menace, Wezi Mzumara from Mzuzu Fashion Week and Yamiko Yakobe from Zaluso Arts.
“As I indicated, there is just so much, we have a new hub managers training – connect hubs –creative hubs academy in partnership with Nesta including hub collaboration grants. This will be hosted in Malawi and have participants from different Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries. This opportunity includes equipment/infrastructure support for the involved hubs coming up in November,” Imaan said.
He also revealed that they have a SoCreative hub summit to be held in Zimbabwe.
Last year, British Council created a platform that saw female artists from different countries including Malawi coming together to make music.
The group went on to create a band that had tours including performing at Lake of Stars Festival held at Kabumba Hotel in Salima.
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