16 Jun 2024

Networking skills are vital in building business relations and clientele.

Model, Dr Thanolo Keutlwilwe said in Molepolole on Friday at the fashion show regional competitions which paved way for the National Arts Festival Competitions to be held in July.

She said networking aided personal and business growth, building relationships and gaining a competitive edge in the creative industry. Dr Keutlwilwe added that networking facilitated trading of ideas, to sustain long term relationships and mutual trust.

She said commercialisation of art could be appreciated as a model of capitalism where economic forces shaped production of artistic content. “Art is not just a form of expression, but also a source of profit,” she noted.

Commercialisation she said played part in promoting local arts as it gave artistes an opportunity to showcase their talents during exhibitions and in social media.

She said this year’s theme: The Creative Economy, Botswana’s Economic Future Redefined, aligned with economic diversification drive and the 2030 agenda of sustainable development, furthermore reaching towards Vision 2036 which aided prosperity for all.

 Kgosi Kgari III urged the creative industry to position itself in the forefront of economic development for poverty eradication.

 Molepolole North MP Oabile Regoeng said understanding the intersection of art and business was essential for artistes desiring to commercialise their creativity.

“With a keen focus on design and strategic understanding of business, artistes can monetise their creations while preserving the essence of their art,” said Regoeng.

He said creativity offered numerous opportunities and invented unique solutions hence it was important for artists to embrace the entrepreneurial mindset to transform their creativity into sustainable jobs.

Regoeng said as the art market constantly evolved, creatives must adapt to changes and trends and be open to exploring new mediums, techniques and business models.

“Promote local artists on digital platforms as it will enable them to reach a wider audience,” he said. Ends