adminREPORTS that the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) is set to construct a spacious and multi-purpose arts centre in Bulawayo are welcome.
The facility, to be named ZIMURA Music and Cultural Centre (ZMCC), is meant to host concerts, workshops and festivals in the country’s second largest city.
Bulawayo, an arts and entertainment hub for years, is famed for hosting rich cultural activities and festivals like Intwasa Arts Festival and high-profile musical shows.
To date, a temporary structure has been erected in Bulawayo to ensure that the association starts operations at the centre.
Last week, ZIMURA board chairperson and dub poet – Albert Nyathyi – held a media tour of the facility where he outlined their vision and mandate.
By setting up ZMCC in Bulawayo, ZIMURA, which represents music composers, authors and publishers’ rights, will be using the facility as a meeting point for arts gurus and practitioners to address burning issues.
With artists losing potential revenue to bogus promoters and piracy, ZMCC will be used as a one-stop shop for composers to discuss their challenges.
This knowledge will be acquired through attending workshops and seminars.
It has emerged that most artists lack etiquette and professionalism due to lack of grooming. Talent alone is not enough to help artists realise their potential as well as helping them to penetrate the international market most artists are yearning for.
Like any other sector, training and embracing international standards and sound management are needed to ensure that our composers are recognised world over.
Over the years, musicians and promoters have been complaining over lack of venues to hold workshops and festivals and this should become a thing of the past.
Musicians should also embrace this initiative and cooperate with ZIMURA.
The cooperation starts through payment of subscriptions as well as registering their works with the association to assist them in the generation of royalties.
The setting up of ZMCC should come as a painkiller to arts promoters who bemoan the lack of affordable venues to hold festivals and big events.
Most artists and promoters have suspended some of their annual festivals due to high costs of hiring venues.
It takes corporate support for most of the individuals and events planners to stage major events.
The setting up of ZMCC will help ease some of these challenges being faced by ZIMURA members.
ZIMURA will also be able to generate revenue by hiring out their facility once it is completed.
With reports that ZIMURA officials are working round the clock in settling up the facility, our artists’ challenges, especially the major ones, could become a thing of the past.
With knowledgeable people such as Nyathi chairing the board, we can only keep our dreams alive as the cultural icon is known for commitment towards the advancement of the creative sector.
Similar facilities should also be set up in other cities and towns.
Online Reporter