admin- A holistic arts education policy should be put in place to equip Zimbabwean student artists with art history and its philosophy, language proficiency, communication skills, concept development and critical thinking. None of which can be achieved by the current Zimsec multiple choice examinations. The Ministry of Education and its affiliated examining boards need to take serious measures to update and edify their visual arts scholarship and curricula if the nation wants to be taken seriously as having arts graduates of international standards.
Art education requires a multi-faceted and sequential curriculum to provide structures through which students can explore different areas and disciplines of the visual arts in depth and breadth.
The art curricula should address equally the development of technical skills, conceptual ability, national identities and effect personal direction in the students. There is also need to develop the use of traditional and contemporary methods and projects in the arts, as more electronic cyber art and installations enter our now digitalised world.
Both public and private media need to select competent educated arts reporters, critics and cultural analysts in order to develop the standards of art appreciation in Zimbabwe. The nation needs to take cognisance that the visual arts are a specialised academic field with both technical and theoretical dimensions.
- Due to increased piracy and plagiarism and fakes prevalent in the visual arts, and arts in general, it is pertinent that legal parameters of the arts are passed through Parliament. Piracy should attract deterrent fines. It is, however, still regrettable that most police officials and legal officers are not yet educated in the legal aspects of the arts. It is a subject which should be addressed urgently in the New Year.
- A comeback of experienced visual artists can be expected which should pave the road map for the future. Despite having seven universities it is important that the experienced artists be given academic honours befitting their international reputation. These artists will be able to contribute and develop comprehensive arts academies within the universities. The current standard of art education in Zimbabwean universities is dismally poor.
- The National Arts Merit Awards “Nama 2012”, is penned for February. Though still work in progress, it promises to be an exciting affair due to the overwhelming entries countrywide. Although the prize money should be increased substantially and national recognition should be consolidated. One might suggest the need to introduce a national “Presidential Award “for visual arts which will create greater visibility and increase local appreciation for the arts.
- More Zimbabwean women of all races and creeds should participate in the visual arts to encourage and promote gender equity.
- Given the anticipated World Tourism Congress due to take place in the country in 2013, Government and private sector should come on board to ensure that the visual arts are made visible by having more worthy and distinctive public art on display nationally, especially in Government and touristic entities. Nota Bene this should not mean any huge monstrosity carved in stone as can be seen in Parliament Building and other prestigious Government establishments today. It must be mandatory that art intended for public national display be selected by a highly qualified panel of experts, and not ad hoc by unqualified middlemen/women masquerading as designers-art-experts-cum agents or a single curator.
The re-discovery of rock art and other monuments from antiquity will ride high on the agenda due to the anticipated tourism in the coming years. Scholarship and the maintenance of these sites should be tackled head-long. It is a matter of national importance, for our pride in our heritage. There is more to the slogan “Zimbabwe – AWorld of Wonders” than just the Victoria Falls, Hwange, Kariba and Nyanga; the “World of Wonders” should include its people and their visual culture.
Finally, more collaboration between performing, visual and literary arts should be encouraged for the overall symbiotic growth of the arts in Zimbabwe.
Wishing everyone a vibrant and flourishing 2012!
- Dr. Tony Monda holds a PhD in Art Theory and Philosophy and a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in Post-Colonial Heritage Studies. He is a writer, art critic, practising artist and corporate image consultant.
Online Reporter