• By Hilja Shikongo

While Namibia’s sports and education sectors often grab the limelight, the country’s creative industries, which includes the arts, fashion design, filmmaking and dance, have been steadily laying the foundation for youth empowerment, in subtle ways. 
This is according to M’kariko Amagulu, the director of arts in the ministry responsible for arts and culture, who highlighted that Namibia’s arts sector is far from being dormant. 

“The ministry has three arts institutions that are all mandated to do specific things. We have the National Theatre of Namibia for theatre development, the National Art Gallery of Namibia for visual arts, and the National Arts Council of Namibia, which provides grants and scholarships for creatives,” Amagulu explained.
She added that a significant milestone in the sector, is the launch of the Namibia Arts, Culture, and Heritage Policy in March this year. 

“After years in development, the policy finally sets a framework for supporting the arts sector, ensuring that young creatives not only get exposure but also tangible opportunities.
“Beyond policy, the ministry is also actively investing in programmes that directly benefit young people. Through the College of the Arts (COTA), young people are receiving practical training in disciplines such as fashion design, new media, TV and radio production, visual arts as well as African performing arts.”
Amagulu noted that the courses are geared towards ensuring that artists do not only create but build sustainable businesses around their talents. 

“Creatives need to see themselves as businesses. Arts is not just for the sake of it. It is a real economic opportunity.”
But despite the growth, Amagulu said, access to resources, mentorship and proper training in schools, remains major stumbling blocks for the development of the sector. 
“Namibia has close to 2,000 schools with an arts subject, yet arts is often not taught properly, with some classes led by teachers without qualifications in the field.”

According to her, many young people, especially those outside major cities, struggle to access equipment, mentorship, and exposure. “That is why over the next five years, decentralization is our key focus. The ministry wants to strengthen regional arts offices and create creative hubs that bring together equipment, training, recording studios and mentorship programs under one roof.”

This effort will also extend to newer creative industries like animation and gaming, creating opportunities to explore global markets beyond traditional art forms, explained Amagulu.
“To close funding gaps, the National Arts Council of Namibia is currently being restructured to not only support exhibitions and performances but to also fund startups in creative industries.” 
Amagulu revealed that collaborations are underway with institutions such as the Development Bank of Namibia to introduce tailored financial products for creative entrepreneurs.
“Every creative in need of equipment or materials, can apply for funding. We have done it before and we want to scale it up,” Amagulu said.