PHOTOS: Art Rwanda-Ubuhanzi 3rd edition launched

Artistes are upbeat about the potential growth of the creative industry as the 3rd edition of Art Rwanda-Ubuhanzi is launched on November 3. ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi is a project that seeks to identify young artistic talent across a wide spectrum of art disciplines and offer them the requisite skills and tools to not only hone their respective talents, but also become creative entrepreneurs. ALSO READ: Art Rwanda-Ubuhanzi contestants present final products ahead of grand finale Launched in August 2018, the talent search is a joint project by the Ministry of Youth and Culture and Imbuto Foundation with a mission to improve and support Rwanda’s art sector. Jackson Vugayabagabo, Director General of Imbuto Foundation, said the last two editions bore fruits in various ways that emphasise the commendable progress made by different artistes that passed through this programme. “We want to build on lessons learnt from the previous editions to enhance the programme further. We want to create a bigger platform for exchange between artistes so that they can boost the industry.” Since the inception of Art Rwanda Ubuhanzi, 138 artistes underwent the incubation programme of showcasing their different talents and be equipped with various skills, and generated more than Rwf150 million from their work. According to Vugayabagabo, this edition will feature nine competing categories including filmmaking, photography, digital art, acting and drama, dance, fashion design, music, literature, visual and plastic arts. The audition is expected to kick off on November 15 in Huye District and move across other districts in the country. It will conclude on December 7 in Kigali City. Nadine Kanyana, fashion designer and owner of KanyanaWorld, said it required courage and discipline to be able to receive and put to use the skills delivered during the incubation period. The contestant in the first cohort said that she now owns a shop that produces ready-to-wear clothes and employs 17 staff, adding that this programme is among the few that can shape and expose artistes to greater heights at a faster pace. Music artiste Alyn Sano said the creative industry has progressed over the years and contributes a significant share of the country’s GDP, however, there is still a gap in infrastructure that needs investment to support the sector's growth. ALSO READ: Art Rwanda Ubuhanzi returns as auditions kick off in Rubavu Youth Minister Jean Nepo Abdallah Utumatwishima commended the industry for the contribution to employment opportunities created for the youth, emphasising that it has helped in the ministry’s mandate of job creation, entertainment, and fostering values in the youth. He urged the artistes to ensure that they work with excellence in their various fields while demonstrating good values. In addition, he welcomed them to engage and share ideas that aim at enhancing the professionalism of the sector. When it comes to Intellectual Property protection, Utumatwishima encouraged the artistes to register their projects with Rwanda Development Board even at the conception stage to ensure that there’s guaranteed protection. The ministry also revealed that this project seeks to include artiste management skills to strengthen the professionalism in the sector and make it more economically beneficial for the artistes themselves.

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PHOTOS: Art Rwanda-Ubuhanzi 3rd edition launched