By Paidashe Mandivengerei
Preparations for the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) are now underway with the arts council already receiving submissions from artists.
The annual awards by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) recognise trailblazers in arts disciplines.
The event will be held on the 29th of February 2020 in Harare but the deadline for entries submissions is the end of November this year.
In a statement released today, NACZ deputy director, Josiah Kusena said the awards will focus on dance, film, literary arts, theatre, music, visual arts, media and spoken word.
“National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has been receiving entries for the 19th NAMA from across disciplines. NACZ urges all production houses, studios, stables, galleries, organisations, associations, groups, artistes that have outstanding published work of art but have not yet submitted them for National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) to submit to NACZ offices in Mount Pleasant or Provincial offices. Work of art can also be submitted to the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare, Bulawayo or Mutare. The deadline for submission of 19th NAMA entries is 30th November 2019.
“19th NAMA Edition will be held in Harare on 29th February 2020. Consideration of selection will only be given to artist works published from 1st December 2018 to 30th November 2019,” reads part of the statement.
“NAMA is the forum where NACZ recognizes outstanding achievements within the arts sector. By rewarding excelling artists, NAMA stimulates more interest in the arts and raises the profile of the same. The awards are a means of encouraging creativity and excellence in the quality of the arts, making Zimbabwe a force to reckon with on the international arena.
