MUTARE Artists have called on the government of national unity to allocate the arts sector a meaningful budget in order to implement programmes that can boost the countrys tourism sector. Speaking at the 10th anniversary celebrations of the National Art Gallery in Mutare the National Director, Thokozile Chitepo, said there was need to promote smart partnerships between The gallery is gearing itself towards playing its part in the revival of the tourism sector with particular attention to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, she said.
Chitepo said the arts sector was the second largest employer after the agricultural sector.
It is an important sector that has created employment in this country. It has been a source of income and livelihoods to millions of people. It is unfortunate that the sector is given the least budget allocation. We are now appealing to the government to increase the allocation so that we can implement arts programmes that can boost tourism in the country, she said.
Chitepo also appealed to the private sector to assist the arts. We need to embark on capacity building and training of the artistes so that they can produce world class products that can boost foreign currency in the country, she said.