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Talent Bope
Arts Reporter
Those vying to be nominated for the 20th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) can submit their entries between September and November, the Zimbabwe National Arts Council (ZNAC) has announced.

ZNAC communication and marketing manager Rodney Ruwende advised stakeholders in the cultural and creative industries that the awards, scheduled for February in 2022, would consider artistes with works that were done between December 2019 and November 2021.

“The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe would like to advise stakeholders in the cultural and creative industries, including production houses, studios, stables, galleries, organisations, associations, groups, artists and monitors that the period for the submission of entries for the 20th National Arts Merit Awards will be open from the 1st of September to the 30th of November 2021,” said Ruwende.

“Consideration of selection for the 20th edition of NAMA to be held in February 2022 will only be given to artworks published in the past two years covering the period from 1st December 2019 to 30th November 2021. Only Zimbabwean citizens or those with Zimbabwean resident status can enter their work.”

Ruwende said participants would get entry forms ZNAC offices throughout the country, as well as from other registered arts associations and organisations in Zimbabwe.

He said there was online registration where artistes would download forms through a link. “Submissions will be done at NACZ head office in Mount Pleasant, Harare, as well as all our provincial offices in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo Lupane, Gwanda, Bindura, Chinhoyi, Marondera and Murewa Culture Centre,” said Ruwende.

“Some will be submitted at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare. Entry forms can also be obtained from any of the above offices, registered arts associations and organisations in Zimbabwe.

“In addition, entries can be submitted online. Entry forms can also be accessed through the NACZ website: www.natarszim.org.zw.  For online submissions, supporting materials may still need to be submitted in person at the above-listed places for use in adjudication.”

Ruwende said all entries must be accompanied by the artiste’s productions which would be in the form of videotapes, cassettes, flash drives, CDs, pictures or books.

“Individuals submitting works for NAMA are encouraged to supply three sets of the particular works or production to assist adjudicators, except where the product is from the visual arts category,” he said.

“The NAMA disciplines that are adjudicated are dance, film, literary arts, theatre, music, visual arts, media and spoken word.”

Ruwende said it was their duty to recognise excelling artistes with the thrust to encourage them to aim higher. “NAMA recognises outstanding achievements within the arts sector by rewarding excelling artists,” he said.

“The awards seek to encourage creativity and excellence in the quality of the arts, inspire artistes to strive for higher and original forms of creativity and provide an opportunity for arts disciplines to jointly market and publicise their products locally, regionally and internationally.”