By: Fatou Krubally
The National Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC) on Wednesday brought together over 100 Gambian artists, project partners, and government officials for a pivotal dialogue aimed at charting a new course for the country’s creative arts sector.
Held at the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI), the Creative Arts Sector Meeting was presided over by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Abdoulie Jobe, and featured detailed presentations and consultations on regulatory, funding, training, and institutional issues affecting artists.
Delivering the welcome statement, NCAC Director General Hasoum Ceesay said the meeting was a rare but timely opportunity for genuine feedback from the creative industry. “We want your ideas and recommendations to feed into a national study we are developing for the sector,” he told the audience. He described the event as a critical milestone in ongoing efforts to build a structured, policy-driven, and well-supported arts industry in The Gambia.
In his keynote address, Minister Jobe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to elevating the creative sector. “We recognise the creative industry as a key contributor to national development,” he said. “This forum is not only a platform for dialogue, but also an opportunity to shape reforms that will empower our artists and cultural workers to thrive.”
The Minister urged stakeholders to remain engaged and constructive, stressing the importance of partnership between the government and the arts community. “This sector has great potential to create jobs, promote tourism, and preserve our heritage,” he added. “But it must be properly regulated, well-resourced, and strategically positioned.”
The meeting featured three thematic presentations covering the state of the sector, the Tourism Diversification and Resilience Project (TRDP), and the EU-funded Youth Empowerment Project (YEP). These sessions paved the way for breakout group discussions on funding, regulations, training, and strengthening artist associations.
The meeting marked a fresh push by the government and its partners to give artists a stronger voice in national development and build a thriving creative economy.
