The Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts has awarded K500, 000 Kwacha as grants to the National Arts Council in order to improve the wellbeing and livelihood of artists.

Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Elvis Nkandu discloses that 10 artists have received a sum of K50,000 Kwacha each, out of the 141 that applied in various categories country wide.

Mr Nkandu added that the government will continue to implement various interventions that will enable artists to participate in socioeconomic development processes of the country.

ZANIS reported that the Minister was speaking today during the 60 grants awarding ceremony held in Lusaka.

 “The grants you are receiving today are a recognition from the government that you are agents of change and innovation and possess the inner will to make things happen in this country,” said Mr Nkandu.

Mr Nkandu emphasised that his ministry, through the National Arts Council, has a number of opportunities that artists have been left out to benefit from next year.

And National Arts Council (NAC) Director, Maanka Chipindi, said the council will be monitoring the various projects to be undertaken by the artists in order to ensure fruition.

Mr Chipindi added that his organisation will also ensure that the awarded artists submit reports to NAC so that the grant money is put to good use.

Meanwhile, a recipient of the grant in Creative Writing, Natasha Omokhodion, of Copper Monstera Entertainment, described the grant as a meaningful gesture to begin the following year.

.. expressed gratitude to the government and urged her fellow artists to maintain their identity.