Arts council underfunded :: Mmegi Online

Amidst the controversies that have marred the National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB), the Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare says the Council is also plagued by funding challenges, especially for the arts and culture grants.

The newly established Arts Council has endured a troubled start to life since it was launched last year, with its substantive Chief Executive Officer, Shombie Ellis, suspended just a few months into office amid grants issues. The council was established to foster the nation’s artistic potential and nurture creative talents.

Meanwhile, Rakgare told Parliament recently that the NACB had an arts and culture grant of P4 million against a P187.5 million funding request by artists for the 2023/24 financial year. “The Council experienced funding challenges, especially for the arts and culture grants.

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