The Creative Economy Working Group met with the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage on 3 June 2019 to discuss the effective incorporation of arts and culture in the national agenda through policy and legislative reform, institutional development and capacity development.
These issues were presented in a brief that is available here
At this meeting, a number of issues were raised around:
The Policy and Legislative Framework for the creative and cultural sector
Fast track the finalization of Culture Policy and Bill to provide a robust and thriving creative and cultural sectors
Establish a National Arts and Culture Council through an Act of Parliament
Anchor culture in the national development agenda through deliberate integration in the Big 4 Agenda
Establish and coordinate a Culture Inter-Ministerial Platform to deal with cross cutting culture and art issues –(incorporating Min of ICT, Trade and Industrialization, Tourism, Education, Office of Attorney General, Foreign Affairs, Transport, Infrastructure, Housing &Urban Development, Department of Youth and Planning).
Foreign Affairs would be useful in enhancing cultural diplomacy including promotion of Kiswahili, signing co-production Agreements on Film, Ratification of culture related protocols and so forth.
Consider a Culture Impact Assessments before large infrastructural projects are undertaken.
Support finalization of Music Policy to address issues of performance spaces, talent development, IP and royalties
Support finalizing of Film Policy and requisite legislation
Fast track the Languages of Kenya Policy –promote Kiswahili, local languages, Kenyan Sign Language, and emerging languages
Undertake Amendment/Repeal KCC Act; anchor it in the Culture Policy
The Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions Act is an orphan legislation. It requires an implementing agency
Integrate urbanization agenda with arts and culture to create livable and sustainable urban environments
Support Implementation of PBO Act to facilitate the work of cultural non-profit organizations that serve the public and advance the interests of Kenyan society through arts and culture.
The need for positive positioning of arts and culture in the national agenda
De-bunk the narrative of the arts and culture sector as continually fragmentary and peripheral to national development.
Promote and publicize the breadth, diversity and vibrancy of the sector, and its strong inter-sectional relationship and value-add to many economic sectors.
Leverage the soft power of Kenyan arts and culture for national cohesion and social well-being
The requirement of institutional development and infrastructure
Support art and culture institutions being run by the national government, civil society and private bodies
Establish a regular consultative forum for the Ministry to engage with practitioners, (and county governments); possibly hosted by an institution like the Kenya Cultural Centre in conjunction with the CEWG
Fast track the establishment/development of a National Arts Gallery.
Support the transformation of the Go-Down Arts Centre which is core to growth of sector.
Work with County Governments to plan culture into county development.
Explore how to work with TVETs and other institutions to promote Kenyan national identity through local fabric and designs.
Capacity development in the education sector to sustain arts and culture
Engage Ministry of Education to build capacities that sustain arts and culture for the future
Include arts education and appreciation in education curriculum to build expressive skills and to strengthen cultural knowledge,confidence and pride
Support implementation of language ofcatchment area principle, the teaching of Kenyan languages in schools, and thepublication of books in Kenyan languages
The importance of data collection and leveraging data for planning in the sector
Link up with Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) to collect sector specific data on arts and culture.
In partnership with County Governments, use a phased approached to data collection
The dearth of funding in the sector
Secure more funding for arts and culture which are currently grossly under-funded
