By Bayan Nalubwama
As it is it’s mandate to develop, promote, preserve and popularize Uganda’s Culture, Uganda National Cultural Center (UNCC) with support from the French Embassy in Uganda, through the FSPI culture project has organised a portfolio workshop to equip artists with necessary skills and knowledge which will help them document and present works in a contemporary format that will attract international opportunities.
Musician Jacobs Nsaali, artists’ manager Dorothy Nabunjo, visual artists Katesi Jacqueline Kalange, Mukiibi Najib Kharim and Samson Ssenkaaba have been unveiled as the outstanding participants who will participate in the workshop.
Through a press statement, Mr. Francis Peter Ojede, the Executive Director, UNCC revealed that the workshop is going to help Ugandan artists overcome the struggle of presenting their work on a global market.
“Many artists in the past have failed to make an international stage due to inadequacy of knowledge and skills on how to document and present art to art institutions, agencies, foundations, art fairs, galleries and Museums. Therefore, UNCC/Nommo gallery has prepared a portfolio review workshop to develop and repackage portfolios of Ugandan artists to prepay artists for a global stage, networks, and global representation,” he said.
Scheduled to start from December 7- 13, 2021 at Nommo gallery, participants will be trained in documentation and representation of artists on the international stage with focus on reviving artist profiles, reviewing artist statements, developing and designing a portfolio.
Mr. Philip Balimunsi, the Curator at UNCC/ Nommo gallery, also one of the facilitators of the workshop revealed the five participants were selected from the 15, who had responded to call for participants that was sent out on November 18, 2021.
“We received 15 participants who were pre-qualified to 8 participants. The selection team later held another meeting and anonymously agreed upon the above five selected participants,” he said
Adding: “All workshop activities will base at Nommo gallery but might also spread to other creative spaces to offer field experiences including art studios of artists during studio visits. Processes leading to the public presentation will determine the different Venues depending on the direction the participants decide to take as per their requirement to accomplish tasks.”
Robert Musiitwa, the UNCC Head of Public Relations and Marketing says that besides the workshop, there will be renovations to the gallery as host venue. One gallery space will be upgraded to offer participants a great ambiance and also create a safe environment during the pandemic.
