Mandate
The government mandated the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN), through the National Arts Fund (NAF) Act No 1 of 2005, which makes provision for the establishment of a Council to act as an advisory body to the Fund. The Council's mandate therefore, is to develop and support programmes and projects that will ensure the continued practice of all art forms in Namibia, to enrich and enhance the national heritage and above all unify all Namibians through arts practice. It is also mandated to advocate, promote and develop the varying Namibian art forms on a wide scale, locally and internationally. Furthermore, the National Arts Council also has the duty to lead advocacy for the case of the arts, to establish the arts as a viable career and to build an effective creative industry in order to bring prosperity to the nation and alleviate poverty.

Vision
To unlock the creative potential of the nation, thereby contributing to a rich Namibian identity.

Mission

To build an enabling environment for the identification, support and development of the creative talents of all Namibians so as to encourage the development of a sustainable arts industry.

Objectives
The following measurable objectives will guide the Council in administering the National Arts Fund (NAF):

  • To demonstrate annually how participation from individual persons, groups, institutions and organisations, was encouraged;
  • To show annually that arts activities and related educational services have been expanded, improved and upgraded;
  • To demonstrate support for institutions and other bodies engaged in arts activities;
  • To establish and improve arts facilities especially for the socio-economically disadvantaged communities;
  • To grant arts-related scholarships and financial support to individuals on a quarterly basis;
  • To raise funds from any appropriate source for the promotion and development of arts in Namibia;
  • To finance projects and programmes relating to arts.

In addition, the council will:

  • Demonstrate best practice, transparency and accountability in its procedures and NAF governance, reported annually to the Minister in its financial statements;
  • Show itself ready to advise and recommend to the Minister on arts-related matters;
  • Assess and report on arts education and training needs; undertake and report on arts-related research;
  • Undertake to uphold the oath of confidentiality and code of conduct in all matters.
The pillars of our service standards are:

Accountability: Accountable for carrying out responsibilities efficiently, timely and with integrity.

Commitment: Demonstrate commitment to the government’s objectives of providing accessible, equitable and quality education.

Respect and empathy: Show respect for opinions and work of colleagues. Treat stakeholders with dignity and politeness at all times, embracing cultural diversity and tolerance.

Teamwork: Teamwork will be modus operandi for achieving strategic objectives, as this is the most important and most effective way of working.

Professionalism: Exercise high levels of professionalism, never compromising the Council’s values and standards.
The arts sector has the potential to enhance mutual understanding and communication among Namibia’s diverse racial, ethnic and socio-economic groups. Namibia is composed of a mixed population of varying cultural groups and ethnicities, therefore improved cross-cultural communication will be an invaluable asset and another significant contribution from the arts field. The NACN is recognising this challenge and seeks to strengthen the arts sector, particularly at the time when it is fragmented, under-resourced, and undergoing significant change,especially through music, theatre and visual arts sectors. Therefore, the NACN is committed to facing these challenges and play its critical role towards overcoming them.

The NACN believes that a healthy arts system in today's environment should consist of support mechanisms in the creation and presentation of art, that connects art to communities, explores artistic innovation and provides leadership for the arts in Namibia. The following are objectives guiding the Council’s work in maintaining a sustainable arts industry:

The National Arts Council of Namibia strives to:
  • Finance projects and programmes relating to arts;
  • Establish partnerships with local and international institutions and key stakeholders;
  • Grant arts-related scholarships as well as financial and development support to individuals;
  • Support and improve arts facilities especially in socio-economically disadvantaged communities (e.g. studio time, rehearsal space, studio space);
  • Encourage participation from individual persons, groups, institutions and organisations;
  • Expand, improve and upgrade arts activities and related educational services (such as mentoring, training and ambassadorships);
  • Finally, to raise funds from any appropriate source for the promotion and development of arts in Namibia.

Download the NACN Strategic Plan here...
The National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN) has the pleasure to announce the appointment of the new council members, who will serve in their capacity for the next three years. We are pleased to congratulate them on their appointment to the NACN and extend our sincere gratitude to all of them for accepting the challenge of serving in this institution.

The NACN consists of seven (7) members:

THREE (3) governmental representatives, consisting of the Executive Director of the Ministry of Education, Arts & Culture, or any other person in the Ministry delegated to represent the Executive Director; a staff member, designated by the Minister, who is responsible for the arts and who holds a rank not less than the rank of Deputy Director; a staff member, appointed by the Minister responsible for finance who holds a rank or grade equal to or higher than the rank of Deputy Director.

FOUR (4) non-governmental persons nominated for appointment by the Minister, by institutions, organisations and individuals with vested interests in arts in accordance with Section (7),  Subsection (4) of the National Arts Fund of Namibia Act, 2005.

The board will be constituted as follows:

Substantive members:

  1. Ms. Isobel Green
  2. Ms Cislé Stella Jacobs
  3. Mr. Lot Ndamanomhata
  4. Ex-Officio: Ms. Sanet Steenkamp
  5. Ex-Offico: Ms. M’kariko Amagulu
  6. Ex-Officio: Mr. Lysias Kafidi

Alternated by:

  1. Mr. Felix Amporo
  2. Mr. John Kasinda
  3. Ms. Veronique Mensah
  4. Mr. Shikongeni Ntinda
  5. Ex-Officio: Mr. Gerard Vries
  6. Ex-Officio: Mr. Manfred! Gaeb
  7. Ex-Officio: Ms. Salome Idhenga

Gretta Gaspar - Administrator 
  gretta gaspar 75   The Council Administrator, as manager of the Fund, is responsible to the Council of Members, for the administration and enforcement of the execution of the Council's policy and administrative directives. 
       
Malakia Matheus – Financial Officer
  Malakia Matheus grey 75   The Financial Officer is responsible for planning, organising, and implementing the Fund's bursary activity, as well as monitoring and evaluating grant-receiving projects, and for the execution and implementation of relevant policies related to the Fund.
 
Marcellinus Swartbooi – Projects Officer
  Marcellinus Swartbooi 75   The Projects Officer is responsible for scheduling, evaluating and moderating projects and plans. He also organises and implements the Fund's grants activities, as well as monitors and evaluates programmes and projects.
       
Paul-wright Simataa – Administrative Assistant
  bones   Works on an advanced operational level with administering and execution of Council directives, processing and consideration of applications. 





Erenfriede Handura – Administrative Assistant
  Erenfriede Handura 75   Works on an advanced operational level with administering and execution of Council directives, processing and consideration of applications. 
       
Gabriel-Marvel Mwandi – Software Development Intern
  Marvel   Works on the NACN website, databases and other IT-related tasks. 
City of Windhoek 75   City of Windhoek
The City of Windhoek has become the social, economic, political and cultural hub of the country. Nearly all Namibian enterprises, governmental bodies, educational and cultural institutions, are headquartered in Windhoek.
     
bipa logo 75   Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA)
The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) was established as the focal point for the registration of business and industrial property. BIPA is responsible for the administration and protection of business and intellectual property
     
nascam 75   Namibian Society of Composer and Authors of Music
NASCAM is a collective management organisation which administers the rights of musicians in Namibia. Its main objective is to register members and their works, register and license all music use in Namibia, and collect royalties on behalf of their registered artists.
     
Namibia film commission 75   Namibia Film Commission
The objectives of the Namibian Film Commission are to support, encourage and promote the development of film production, the film industry and film marketing in Namibia, by promoting Namibia as a location for film production on the international market, attracting film producers and facilitating their initiatives to carry out film productions in Namibia.