By Kudakwashe Vhenge
Jacaranda Culture and Media Cooperation (JCMC) who recently won a five year contract from the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe(NACZ) to host the annual National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) has promised a bigger at better event come next year.
The 19th edition which will be held on the 28th and 29th of February 2020 will for the first time see the NAMA event beingheld as a two day event with the first day comprising of Arts Forums and Exhibitions whilst the awards ceremony being held the day after.
Speaking at a press briefing that was held in the capital todayNapoleon Nyanhi who is the Managing Director for JCMC explained that in an effort to bring a sense of belonging for the people around the event; this year’s theme will be “taking NAMA to the people”.
“In a bid to promote ownership of the NAMA brand, JCMC with the support of NACZ and various partners has embarked on a mission to take the NAMA where it belongs, in the hands of the people so as to get an appreciation of what the people wants from the awards,” said Nyanhi.
NACZ has been receiving entries for the 19th NAMA from across discipline from all production houses, studios, stables, galleries, organizations, associations, groups, artistes andoutstanding published work of art.
The deadline for submission of 19th NAMA entries is which was penciled for 30th November 2019 was extended by two days in an effort to accommodate late entries.
Nominees will be announced in January 2020.
NAMA is the forum where NACZ recognizes outstandingachievements 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.
