20 Oct 2024

The First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) Foundation has injected P2.4m into the newly launched Botswana Art Online (BAO), a platform that will sell Botswana art.

Speaking at the launch of BAO at Thapong Visual Arts Centre in Gaborone on Thursday,  First Lady  Neo Masisi said the foundation’s contribution and support to the creative sector was an investment.

Masisi said the support from the FNBB Foundation would have an impact not only on artists but their families, as well as the country’s economic growth.

 She also said the Foundation was a great partner in developing the sector, adding that the establishment of the online platform meant artists would now join the ranks of world class as they would be elevated.

She said this would speak on sustainability, copyright and originality of Botswana art to the world. The First Lady said the Foundation’s support addressed job creation, livelihoods, and spoke to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 of education as well as that of reduction of poverty, which is SDG 1.

 She said government took pride in promoting and supporting the arts space in Botswana, and applauded entities such as Thapong Visual Arts Centre as they reduced reliance on government by creating the much-needed jobs for the youth.

Furthermore, the First Lady said this project was testament of realising President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi’s vision of a digitalised Botswana.

She said the platform would ease the expenses of transporting art pieces by artists to the relevant market, as they would now use the platform to showcase their craft and get fair compensation.

However, Masisi raised concern about Botswana art, which she said was still under developed.

She said there was need to share the value of creating art pieces, as this could advise properly the pricing of art pieces in Botswana.

 The chairperson of National Arts Council of Botswana (NACB), Abram Kesupile they would continue their support and commitment to the Thapong Arts Centre.

Kesupile welcomed the initiative, saying technology drives everything and encouraged artists to use the platform and other technological means to profit and transform lives.

Through BAO, artists’ art works will be showcased and sold on the platform. A team of experts will travel across the country to seek pieces curated by Batswana artists, which will be displayed for sale on this platform. ENDS