Monika Amunyela
The National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN) has awarded bursaries to 10 students who are pursuing their studies in the arts field. The bursaries, valued at N$531 859.62, were awarded to students studying fields aligned with the national development goals and the creative sector’s needs.
According to NACN in a media statement, the bursaries were awarded through a fair, structured selection process aligned with the Government’s new education funding guidelines and the subsidised education funding model.
“These guidelines are designed to make sure that students who need support most can get access to higher education, while also directing funding to areas where skills are needed nationally,” said the institution.
Students will be studying at both local and international institutions. Locally, the funding was awarded to students from the University of Namibia (Unam) and the Namibian University of Science and Technology (Nust), and in the SADC regions, at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
While international studies will also take place at the Zurich University of the Arts in Switzerland and the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art in the United Kingdom. The funded fields of study include heritage conservation, arts and design, English studies, cultural critique, professional acting, architecture, 3D animation, and film scriptwriting. These areas support key parts of the creative sector, including heritage protection, digital media, performance, design, and film production, ensuring Namibia’s cultural heritage is well preserved.
The programme also aligns with the goals of Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which focuses on youth development, job creation, and building skills to support economic growth.
By investing in arts-related studies, NACN aims to help young Namibians gain the knowledge and experience needed to contribute meaningfully to the creative economy.
NACN stated that its bursary program focuses on developing practical skills and professional careers in the arts industry. By supporting students at all stages of their studies, the Council will continue to invest in a stronger, more sustainable creative industry in Namibia.