More than 150 Million RWF Generated from Artists’ Products since the Establishment of ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi
Past cohorts of the ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi competition have already had 39 companies that generate profits, where they have produced various works for many worth more than 150 Million Rwandan Francs.
This was revealed in the ceremony to officially launch the ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi Edition III on Friday, 3rd November 2023, which aims to highlight and support talents in the category of cultural industry.
This year, this program which is organized by Imbuto Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), will start in Huye District on November 15, 2023, in order to find new talents in the cultural industry in different parts of the country.
ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi is a televised nationwide talent search project implemented by Imbuto Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth since 2018. The project identifies and supports young and talented Rwandans within the creative arts industry in 9 different categories, namely: Film making, Photography, Digital Art, Acting and Drama, Dance, Fashion Design, Music, Literature, Visual and Plastic Arts.
The CEO of Imbuto Foundation, Jackson VUGAYABAGABO, said that once those with talent have been identified, they receive training so that they can improve their talent.
He said, “Once their talents are discovered, they are given training, they are connected with those who have experience to help them improve their talents and have production, because it’s an art that must generate profit and the works”.
Minister of Youth, Rwanda, Abdallah UTUMATWISHIMA, requested the artists to contribute the country’s development.
He said, “We are going to spend 30 years in Rwanda as a safe country, trying to find solutions and progress, but if we follow the struggle for liberation, and all the time and morals that were given to the Inkotanyi, you can’t miss artists, they were around since the beginning of Rwanda, in order to relive, we were with the artists”
He added “There is no battle we can go into as a country without the artists, try not to fail, if necessary, in the battle to represent the country”.
Amb. Robert MASOZERA, DG of the Rwanda Cultural Heritage academy, told the artists and who wish to be that their work should be built on the culture
“It’s important to pump into the cultural economy of our population. There is a need for arts with original Rwandan works”. He said
Kanyana is one of the first edition participants in the fashion category, and has been able to put the knowledge she has learned to profitable use, as she currently owns a fashion house called Kanyana world.
She said, I started as one but with all that knowledge we now have 17 people, including 11 who work daily and 6 who work occasionally, we achieved all in the last four years, the message I give to my fellow talents is not to be afraid and make the most of the opportunities. These opportunities we have are not permanent, because it’s the way to speed up your talent”.
In the inaugural phase of this 3rd edition, auditions will span from six provinces namely Huye, Kayonza, Nyamasheke, Rubavu, Musanze and Gasabo and will see young talents aged, 18-30, from each of the categories, contesting with the road trip audition od 15 November to 09 December. Out of the array of talented participants the most outstanding of 60 artists will be shortlisted on the national level to partake in an intensive week-long boot camp, setting the stage for the grand finale.
The top winners in each category will receive a cash prize and the top six business projects will also be awarded with a seed funding at the start of the incubation programme. A unique highlight of this edition is that the best projects will be selected based on individual or group performance during project pitching. After the incubation, all the contestants who made it to the finals will be given access to ArtRwanda-Ubuhanzi shop, where they will be able to showcase their art pieces and make profit out of them.
