Madam Odile Tevie, Director of Nubuke Foundation, has called on visual artists to acquire business and financial knowledge to effectively upscale their creative talents.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the University of Ghana’s (UG) “Artify” exhibition, she said that artists must understand how to run their creativity as a business, not just rely on their innate abilities.
Madam Tevie pointed out that while artistic talent was crucial, business acumen and project management skills were essential for the sustainable growth of the creative arts sector.
By incorporating these skills, more investment and support for artists could be attracted, thereby boosting the sector’s potential for economic growth.
She also emphasized the economic potential of the creative arts sector, urging for its scaling up to attract both local and international investments and partnerships.
The weeklong event was organised in partnership with Nubuke Foundation and with funding from the KGL Foundation.
The exhibition featured drawings and paintings from eight visual artists, chosen by the University, who showcased their works at the Balme Library of the University of Ghana.
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, also announced plans to establish an arts studio to provide a platform for students to showcase their visual arts skills. Following the success of the Artify exhibition, the university will hold quarterly and yearly visual arts exhibitions.
She also announced that, due to the success of the inaugural Artify project, the University would be hosting both quarterly and annual visual arts exhibitions moving forward.
“This initiative nurtures talent and fosters entrepreneurial spirit among young aspiring artists. Together, we cultivate creativity and transform passion into sustainable careers,” she said.
The Artify project, themed “Amplifying Art as a Business,” was initiated by the University’s Office of Research, Innovation, and Development (ORID).
It aimed to provide a skills development programme for aspiring visual artists, aged 18 to 30, who were either students or residents in the university’s vicinity.
The participants underwent an eight-week training course that included both artistic and business orientation, focusing on improving their craft and expanding their client base.
The programme covered essential topics such as art practice fundamentals, copyright and intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and business management, all designed to help the artists become more business-oriented professionals.
Source: GNA
