BASATA promotes the creative economy through the students painting competition

DAR ES SALAAM: THE National Arts Council (BASATA) has intensified efforts to boost the creative economy by organizing a painting competition involving students from various higher learning institutions across the country, while also providing them with essential art materials to support their work.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam during the competition’s launch, BASATA Acting Executive Secretary, Edward Buganga, said the competition is a strategic initiative aimed at nurturing, developing, and promoting artistic talent among youth, while contributing to the growth of Tanzania’s creative economy.

He noted that the winner of the competition will receive 500,000/- , the runner- up 300,000/-, and the third-placed winner 100,000/-.

All winners will also be awarded certificates and painting materials to help them further improve their artistic skills.

As part of efforts to strengthen visual arts, BASATA launched the competition at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), specifically through the Department of Creative Arts, which has been instrumental in nurturing talent and producing art entrepreneurs.

Buganga emphasized that painting serves as an important tool for communicating social messages, fostering creativity, and developing youth talent.

He explained that the competition aims to identify and nurture students’ artistic abilities, provide them with a platform to showcase their creativity, and enhance the value of art within society and higher learning institutions. It also encourages students to work hard and build a foundation for self-employment through art.

Furthermore, he said BASATA, in collaboration with stakeholders, has developed special guidelines to ensure the competition is conducted with high standards, transparency, and fairness.

“These guidelines emphasize originality, technical skills, and the role of artwork in preserving and promoting national culture,” he said.

Buganga added that the arts sector plays a significant role in the national economy by enabling young people to create employment, generate income, and promote Tanzania internationally through creative works.

“It is important for students to actively participate in this competition as it provides a valuable opportunity to develop their talents and build their future,” he stressed, while thanking UDSM leadership and all participants for supporting the initiative.

Meanwhile, some students have commended BASATA for the initiative. Gift Lwemamu said the art materials provided will ease their work and enhance creativity.

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Similarly, Julius Pallanjo noted that the competition helps nurture students’ talents and build their skills through healthy competition, enabling them to grow both artistically and academically.

The Acting Secretary of Tanzania Arts Council (BASATA), Edward Buganga, said that painting competitions involving students from various higher learning institutions are a key strategy to nurture, promote, and develop artistic talent while contributing to the country’s creative economy.