Thapong calls on art stakeholders to appreciate media

The coordinator of Thapong Visual Arts Centre, Reginald Bakwena has called on other arts sectors to support and recognise the media.

Thapong is one of the local art institutions that has been supporting the media and recognising their support at the annual Thapong Artist of the Year Awards. Besides awarding visual artists who excel in their work during the awards, Thapong also awards to outstanding media (journalists and photographers) at the awards. The awards are held in order to hail the efforts of those who during that year extensively cover the various activities of the art centre as well as give coverage to members of Thapong, and raise issue that affect the visual arts industry. 

In the 2016 edition of the awards, mobile company, BTC sponsored the media category. 

Speaking during an interview, Bakwena explains that the media plays a crucial role in the growth of the visual arts. He also notes that the public gets to find out about the latest trends that artists are exploring through articles carried out in media. “Art collectors can use the media to find out information about art news. The art industry needs to support the media as they play an important role of connecting the arts industry,” he says.  Bakwena also says that the media assists artists as it connects and grows their network base. 

It is on this basis that each year, we feel the need to recognise the efforts of the media,” he says, adding that they also assist in economic diversification. “Artists can reach a lot of people through the stories carried out.”