• The Competition has opened today 9th April with the deadline for submission of entries closing on 9th May 2024.
• This competition was birthed from a need to support alternative art forms which do not always get recognized.
• Top three winners will walk away with a cash prize of K60, 000, K50, 000 and K40, 000 for the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd

First National Bank (FNB) Zambia has launched the Visual Arts Competition, aimed at supporting alternative Arts that do not get recognized.

The Competition has opened today 9th April with the deadline for submission of entries closing on 9th May 2024.

The award ceremony is set for 31st May, 2024 and the top three winners will walk away with a cash prize of K60, 000, K50, 000 and K40, 000 for the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd prize.

And officiating at the launch, Minister of Youth, Sport and Art Elvis Nkandu said visual arts, poses a greater opportunity for the private sector such as the banks to invest in through social corporate responsibility as well as integrating the arts into their everyday business.

Mr. Nkandu, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary in charge of Art, Fumba Chama, stated that the creative industry is an economic sector, hence the need for the private sector to invest in the industry for growth, sustainability and job creation.

“Let me take this opportunity to call upon the private sector to emulate the FNB to partner with the Ministry and the National Arts Council to work closely with the Visual Arts Council (VAC) to foster visual arts promotion and development.”

“The Ministry values such partnerships aimed at investing in the arts to contribute to job creation and improved livelihoods as stipulated in the Eighth National Development Plan,” Mr. Nkandu stated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nkandu disclosed that plans to construct the National Arts Centre and rehabilitate two theater houses and the Livingstone Arts Gallery have advanced, as Government is concluding talks with institutions that have pledged to provide land for the project.

He said the total cost of the project will be determined once the discussions have been concluded.

“This is to ensure that artists have their own space to show case artistic products, create jobs and improve livelihoods,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, FNB Zambia Head of Strategic Marketing and Communication Kasali Kaingu urged Visual Artists to fully participate in the competition by illustrating what Zambia at 60 means.

“We are excited to announce the FNB Visual Arts Competition. This competition was birthed from a need to support alternative art forms which do not always get recognized yet they are pivotal in curating a connection of our past to our future.”

“Through the FNB Visual Arts Competition, we are calling on Artists countrywide to participate in illustrating what “Zambia at 60” means with a deliberate skew on the positive social impact of our rich cultural heritage,” Mrs. Kaingu emphasized.

She added that the Bank has partnered with the National Arts Council and Visual Arts Council to allow artists from all 10 provinces of Zambia to enter their 2-dimension or 3-dimension art pieces for a chance to win prizes.

“50 entries will be shortlisted from the nationwide submission following professional and transparent adjudication.”

“The 50 finalists will have an opportunity for their art to be displayed at an exhibition which will be hosted at the Henry Tayali Art Gallery where the public can view and purchase some of the art pieces,” she said.

The FNB Visual Arts Competition will be open to all artists nationwide to allow them to express their interpretation of Zambia at 60.