Artists attending a workshop here urged the government to take the sector seriously and support if financially. It is an important sector that has created employment in this country, said David Mupambawashe, director of Zimbabwe Arts Forum (ZIAF). It has been a source of income for 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, he said. The arts sector is gearing itself towards playing its part in the revival of the tourism sector with particular attention on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
It is unfortunate that we are not recognized seriously. Tourists are buying the arts products, but we do not have a policy framework of directly collecting that revenue that can improve the arts sector, he said. I am also appealing to the private players to come forward and assist the arts sector. We need resources to market the products of various artists. We need to embark on capacity building and training of the artists so that they can produce world class products that can boost foreign currency in the country. The arts play a very significant role in supporting and identifying talent. People have chosen to express themselves through the arts. It has managed to bring together various societies the world over, so it is an area that can help to market Zimbabwe, he said.