The National Arts Council – NAC is expected to soon outlined specific guidelines on how artists that include musicians and various forms of art can access the K30 million fund that was confirmed by President Edgar Lungu during his national address.
This follows the confirmation that Government has finally approved a K30 million youth empowerment fund targeting Zambian artists and youths countywide after a proposal from various stakeholders to consider granting them a stimulus package which will lessen the economic impact that Covid-19 health restrictions has put on their work.
President Edgar Lungu announced during his national address on June 25, 2020, that government has approved a K30 million youth empowerment scheme which will be launched soon and that the National Arts Council and the Ministry of Arts and Tourism will implement the programme.
And National Arts Council – NAC Chairperson Patrick Samwimbila has told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that the K30 million which comes in form of a loan is from the share of the K10 billion Medium-Term Refinancing facility that was introduced by government two months ago.
He said the Council and other stakeholders saw how difficult it is for artists to go to the the traditional banks and apply for the funds hence appealed for a specific share from the K10 billion facility which will cover for artists as they have not been left out from the negative economic impact of Covid-19 restrictions.
Samwimbila further disclosed that specific guidelines on how the funds will be disbursed to artists will be communicated soon, as consultations on the date of launching the scheme are still ongoing with the Ministry of Art and Tourism and various stakeholders.
“This proposal was generated by us because we know that artists have also lost sourced of revenue during this period just like many other sectors, therefore if other sectors are being cushioned, then the art businesses deserves the same,” He added.
Samwimbila has since expressed gratitude to government saying the scheme is a milestone to the industry, hence artists should take keen interest and strive to access this money once guidelines have been set out.
He added that the amount which has been given is within the proposal that was made hence has assured government that it will be put to good use.
Health restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic has affected many areas of the economy, and players in entertainment industry are one of the most adversely hit. Zambia Association of Musicians confirmed to ZBT that efforts by local artists to generate revenue online had limited success.
Moreover, huge social gatherings, bars and night clubs which provide venues for on stage performance for especially musicians remain restricted making their key revenue generating activities to be very limited or almost cut off completely.
