14 Oct 2020

This year’s annual Thapong Artist of the Year Awards (TAYA) will serve as motivation for artists who are still reeling from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

Collaborating with Botswana Telecommunication Corporation (BTC) for the BTC 2021 Phone Book Cover Design Competition, the awards and the competitions aim to empower and develop artists.

As BTC celebrates 40 years of progress and social development, the corporation is keen to nurture local talent by offering artists a platform to showcase their potential and enable them to make a living out of their talents.

“We are excited to be collaborating with Thapong Visual Arts Centre in empowering artists yet again especially this year when the creative industry has been hit hard by the COVID- 19 pandemic,” BTC corporate communications and public relations manager, Golekanye Molapisi stated.

Due to the pandemic, most artists did not manage to earn income and Molapisi observed that this was an opportunity for BTC and Thapong to give back and help cushion the impact the virus on the industry.

BTC Foundation and Thapong Visual Arts Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards the promotion of the arts and creative sector in Botswana in 2018, with sponsorship of P1.7m for three years to help create opportunities and open a window for the growth of the industry as an employer and revenue earner for artists.

Besides making public spaces more appealing and approachable, Molapisi said BTC believed that unleashing the artistic talent could help Botswana become the hub of the creative arts industry in the SADC region.

Molapisi stated that the BTC Foundation was committed to developing the visual arts at the grassroots level by allowing artists to showcase their creative and be recognised for their work.

Thapong Visual Arts Centre coordinator Reginald Bakwena said the awards and the competition came at an opportune time when the artists were in dire need of motivation.

He applauded BTC Foundation for the great gesture of supporting the industry during the trying times of COVID-19, adding that most corporate organisations were unable to extend their support due to the pandemic.

TAYA and BTC Phone Book Cover Design competitions are open to members of Thapong Visual Arts Centre.

However, Bakwena encouraged non-members to enter the competitions and register for membership in order to enjoy benefits of being a Thapong member.

Closing date for submission of artworks is October 31 at 5 pm.

The theme for the Phone Book Cover Design competition which is for young creatives is: Turning a Global Challenge into Local Opportunities with BTC@40, while the TAYA competition is themed: Go jewa Art(Exhibit your best work and win), and it targets professional artists.

First prize for both competitions is P50 000, whilst second prize for TAYA is P30 000 and winners for category one, two and three in TAYA will each receive P6 000.

The second prize for Phone Book Cover design for young artists is P25 000 whilst third prize is P15 000.  ENDS