admintwinning exercise that will see arts students from the institutions exchanging notes on theatre.
Over 60 students from the Midlands State University are already here for a week-long exercise at the Amakhosi Cultural centre under the tutelage of arts guru and renowned theatre practitioner, Cont Mhlanga.
Under the programme, university students are taught practical skills in drama and also get an insight into the opportunities available for artists in Zimbabwe and the region.
“We want to expose the students to the market so that they get an insight into the opportunities that are available.
“Since time immemorial artists have been labelled as failed individuals who only take up art as a last resort. This is actually not true, that is why you have quite a number of universities that now offer degree programmes for students interested in art.
“By having this programme, we are trying to eliminate the perception that art is for the uneducated. We are also trying to bring the students to where the industry is,” said Cont.
The initiative started this year and already more than 100 students have been to Amakhosi Cultural Centre to familiarise themselves the practical side of the arts.
In May this year 30 students from MSU, were at Amakhosi Cultural Centre during the centre’s winter programme.
“We are trying as much as possible to orient and align the students with what happens when one decides to take up art as a profession. It should not be doom and gloom when you are artist, but you should be able to earn a decent salary and have a modest lifestyle, if not a lavish one because you are in control of your product and can determine its price,” he said.
This season’s programme is running concurrently with the Intwasa Arts Festival and will afford the students an opportunity to interact with both regional and local artists who are already here for the festival.
Already the euphoria seems to have caught up with students, who are already dreaming of a big life once they graduate from university.
First year student at the Midlands State University, who is majoring in Film and Theatre Tawanda Murombo said the pep talk that the group has been getting from Cont, paints a bright future of the art industry.
“There is certainly something better there and I already have a picture of who I want to be once I graduate,” he said.
His colleague, Lloyd Mungoni concurred,adding that the prospects certainly looked bright.
“Despite the challenges that the film industry was experiencing in Zimbabwe, I am keen on joining it and also contribute with my expert,” he said.
Online Reporter