Addressing an arts entrepreneurship workshop with Sihlangu Dlodlo at the National Gallery here recently, Mhlanga said many artists lacked entrepreneurial skills and should take advantage of the various facilities now available to empower themselves in that direction.
The workshop, titled, ‘Can Arts Be Business In Zimbabwe?’ was part of several activities that the British Council has brought to the Intwasa Arts Festival, which ends tomorrow.
Artists must not just sit back and wait for clients. They needed to make the effort to go out and aggressively engage new markets.
Renowned playwright Sihlangu Dlodlo, who is also the marketing manager of Lobels Bread, agreed. He said artists should take advantage of their creative skills to break into new fields such as creating brands for industry.
“Artist must learn to differentiate their personal lives from their projects,” said Dloldo. “They must be aware that they can do other projects which can bring them money.”
He also lamented structural deficiencies in the administration of arts organisations that have led to the implosion of many of them. “Arts organisations should learn to be professional and employ personnel to specialise in these duties, and this will keep the organisation thriving,” he said.
The workshop was well attended by artists from across all disciplines.
Post published in: Entertainment