By Frederick Philander
WINDHOEK
As part of Bank Windhoek’s ever-increasing efforts towards the development of arts in Namibia, the Bank has once again demonstrated its commitment to the arts industry with the signing last week of a 15-year agreement between the Bank and the National Art Gallery.
On January 31, 2007, Bank Windhoek launched a partnership with the National Art Gallery (NAGN), to become the main sponsor of the Gallery. As part of this partnership, the first-ever prestigious Bank Windhoek Triennial exhibition will take place in 2008 and replaces the previous Standard Bank Biennial.
“We are proud to come on board as an official sponsor of the National Art Gallery of Namibia by sponsoring the Bank Windhoek Triennial. This prestigious exhibition will take place every three years as part of the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival,” said James Hill, Managing Director of Bank Windhoek, on the newly formed partnership between the Bank and the National Art Gallery of Namibia.
Joe Madisia, director of the National Art Gallery expressed his satisfaction with the bank’s willingness to financially contribute towards the development of art in the country.
“I am convinced that Bank Windhoek takes the upliftment and strengthening of the social fabric of the Namibian society very seriously. Through our partnership with Bank Windhoek, we aim to stimulate cultural investment in Namibia and its artists,” said Madisia at the signing ceremony.
At the same occasion, Aldo Behrens, Coordinator of the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival, welcomed the merger between the bank and the art gallery.
“It is a privilege for me to have facilitated a merger between the arts and the financial industry, something similar to a marriage between science and technology,” he asserted.