BASATA sees artistry registration soar to 21,875 artists, groups and institutions

DODOMA: THE Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda has said that the National Arts Council of Tanzania (BASATA), has expanded artist registration, with a total of 21,875 artists, groups and institutions recorded by April 2026.

The Minister made the statement when presenting the ministry’s budget estimate for 2026/27 at the parliament in Dodoma on Monday stating that the figure marks a sharp rise compared to 1,935 artists registered in the 2024/25 financial year, reflecting a 91 per cent increase as part of efforts to reach and formalise stakeholders in the arts sector.

According to the Minister, the data serves as a critical foundation for research, planning and policy decision-making aimed at advancing the country’s creative industry.

Established under the National Arts Council Act, Cap 204, BASATA is mandated to promote and develop the arts, conduct research, provide professional support to artists and stakeholders, and oversee registration of artists and arts infrastructure nationwide.

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“The council is also responsible for formulating regulations and guidelines to ensure quality standards in artistic works, maintaining databases of practitioners, and advising the government on sector development,” he said.

In addition, he said that BASATA promotes adherence to Tanzanian cultural values and ethics in artistic production, while supporting growth of the sector through exhibitions, competitions, festivals, workshops and seminars, alongside strengthening training programmes for stakeholders.

“I would like to remind your esteemed Parliament that art is a mirror of the values of our society. When art loses direction, the nation loses its vision. Therefore, we will never allow art to be a source of the collapse of the values of our nation,” he said.

Moreover, Minister Makonda said that BASATA has made improvements to the BASATA Regulations of 2018 to align with the changes to the BASATA Act of 2019 and the final procedures to complete the regulations are underway and are expected to be completed and officially come into effect on July 1, 2026.

“These Regulations have been improved to establish strong foundations of ethics, reduce or completely eliminate fees and charges, strengthen the accountability of artists and ensure that works of art contribute to building a society with good values,” he said.