KCA University Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaiah I.C. Wakindiki has said that the university is in the process of establishing a global creative arts centre to match and feed the budding creative economy in the country and across the borders.
“The arts centre will bring together industry practitioners in the university and also the scholars and students in collaborative projects of the industry. We look forward to work with the government in supporting the Talanta Hela initiative by providing short courses in business and financial skills to the creative industry,’’ said Prof. Wakindiki.
He said he wants to see KCAU become the benchmark of creative arts education in the East African region.
KCA University offers creative arts related courses both at diploma and degree level and currently has over 500 students.
The VC spoke when KCA University hosted Hon. Ababu Namwamba, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Arts and Sports for a panel discussion on “Creative Economy as an exciting frontier for national development.”
Ababu challenged Kenyans to change their negative opinion towards the contribution creative sector adding that economies such as Nigeria, South Africa, UK and America that have succeeded through mainstreaming the creative sector.
He said the government was moving towards mainstreaming creative sector through launch of Talanta Hela initiative which will turn talents into real money.
Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Film Commission Mr. Timothy Owase said the commission is already partnering with the university in capacity building and it will work with it to establish a film hub under its Studio Mashinani initiative at the creative arts centre once complete.
Other distinguished panelists included; Wanjiku Njuguna (CEO of Heva Fund), Nancy Matimu (Fintech Innovation Director & Business Lead, and the vice chairperson of the KCA University Council) and Eddie Butita (CEO of Stage Presence Media Africa).
As a developing nation, Kenya trades on a wide variety of creative products such as art, fashion, music, film, apps, crafts, and many others; this currently represents around 5.3% of Kenya’s GDP, according to a report by the Creative Economy Business Environment Reform of 2016. This is a significant contribution, given the challenges plaguing this industry. It is not lost on anyone that Kenya’s multibillion-shilling industry has not yet realized its full potential.
The overarching challenge is the ability of the lack of an enabling environment to generate a thriving and growing creative sector capable of engaging thousands of youths.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the absence of government and general public appreciation of the local creative industry contributes to the limited uptake of creative industry goods and services. The creative industry in Kenya could become a vital accelerator for economic growth and development if proper institutional, policy, and regulatory reforms, as well as other private sector-related reforms, are implemented.
The discussion was part of the public lecture series that have become signature events at KCA University intended to shape public opinion on the future of the creative industry.
