Art’s poor pieces of national budget

Our artists are wiser in their costumes, but back to reality, they are as bad as anyone else.

So, this week, I brave any possible torrent with my otherwise long kept observation that for artists in Malawi, it is always the same poor old song, just on another day.

That is why today, while many sectors have reacted to their allocations in the 2012/2013 national budget, I am yet to get a sober analysis from the arts sector.

I wonder if our average artist knows even the basic of budgetary issues.

How much goes to the art sector this year as compared to last year?

What is the trend in allocation? Is this year’s lot enough considering the effects of devaluation?

How did government arrive at such figures? Was there enough consultation?

Well, has there been any meaningful consultation ever before?

I just think it is of no use for our artists to cry over inadequate funding when they never justify their needs.

Have you ever noted that while our artists seem clever in their costume, they are sad sacrificial lambs that lack a voice?

When it’s time to fight for their own good, our musicians or actors duck into crevices with the same agility they employ as they sing or act against corruption, racial injustice or the poverty weighing hard on orphans and widows.   

Silence may be a form of revolt, yes. But as they say, it may also mean consent.

In this case, I believe it’s more of the latter; our artists are consenting to injury.

I guess the people failing art most are the leaders of associations. These people must lead the thought processes of their associations.

Art must be responsive to all weather–political, economic, social or legal. 

Art associations need leaders who can steer their ship in the right direction. Right now, such breed is yet to come.

You may beg to differ.