Artists and the public at large will have a chance to take part in an art symposium being organised by the National Arts Council of Seychelles (NAC) in August.
The primary aim for the symposium is to give local artists the opportunity to come together to share ideas and make suggestions for their personal development.
In addition to the primary aim, NAC feels that special attention is required through discussion with the public, now and in the future, to ensure the services it offers are understood and matches that which is much needed by the public.
Ms Benjamin Rose, the chief executive of the NAC, says that NAC has a mandate to promote all art forms in the country and support all artists through projects they can submit for approval. However there is a need for artists to be proactive and initiate effective projects that would enhance the expansion of the arts.
She says that the NAC is working on several projects at the moment; one such example is a book which will profile outstanding visual artists in Seychelles.
Meanwhile Ms Rose says the NAC is also maintaining all its ongoing projects such as the poetry and tie and dye workshops among others.
Ms Rose acknowledges that the council should also step up its effort to encourage artists. At present the NAC is calling on all artists to update their contact details with the council, this is being done in an attempt to promote all artists through the NAC website.
Ms Rose says the NAC is working on new strategies to educate the public and artists in an effort to create a more conducive artistic environment. In passing, she mentions the creation of the Arts village which is in line with the Vision 2020.
Ms Rose stresses the importance for artists and the NAC to work closely together and develop lasting partnerships in order for both parties to benefit and bring the arts to greater heights in Seychelles, in the region and at international level.
Ms Rose also believes that establishing links with other councils in the region is undoubtedly one way of exchanging ideas and programmes.
In order to increase the visibility of the council and make it more accessible to artists, Ms Rose says the NAC is working with other bodies, organisations and departments to take part in and organise activities which will bring artists and the public together. These include commemorating all international days on the artistic calendar such as Dance Day, Music Day, Literacy Day.
There is a proposal to reintroduce the Jazz Festival for this year and bring back the Arts Festival later in 2012.
“These are events that are paramount for the continuous enhancement of the arts in Seychelles,” Ms Rose notes.
She also stresses that art is the soul of a nation and for a nation to be alive and vibrant, arts need to be rooted in the very core of a society.
“But in order for this to happen there must be concerted efforts from every Seychellois,” says Ms Rose.
M.A.L.
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