Art educators advocate more collaboration between government, institutions

Nigerian art educators are advocating for increased inter-agency collaboration and government support to boost arts education and drive cultural growth.

The educators made this call at the photography and cinematography exhibitions organised by the Department of Creative Arts Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos.

The educators stated that such collaboration would transform the creative sector from an underfunded niche in to a stronger driver of national development.

Speaking at the event, Dean School of Vocational Education Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka Lagos, Adeyemi Alade Festus described the exhibition which was the first in its series as apt, adding that it showcased the creative potential of art students alike, highlighting the importance of arts education in the nation’s advancement.

While commending arts lecturers in the school for their efforts in organising the exhibition, he challenged the students to make good use of the opportunity the institution has provided for them.

Read also: Culture Art Academy floats teachers’ art exhibition to foster creativity among educators

On theme of the exhibition “Photography and cinematography’’, he said: “it is a way of encouraging and challenging the students about how life can take them to where ever they want’’.

According to him, “studying photography and cinematography can make them become financially dependent, when they leave school, they do not have to look for jobs, they can establish on their own instead of been liability to their parents”.

Speaking earlier, a Vision artist and a lecturer at the Federal College of Education, Yusuf Durudola, said the exhibition was ideal as it would enable the students see the end use of art works.

Explaining further, he said, “the course called photography and Cinematography, has to do with still images and motion images, in the process of teaching them this course with my other colleagues, l realised that most of them have not even been outside the school environment to see exhibition.

“And when you cannot see the end use of what you are learning, you will not know the value of the course and it will look like abstract”.

This exhibition, he said would show them that artists can earn a living from their work, and that’ll encourage them to take their studies more seriously, securing a future in their craft.

On the other hand, Durudola called on Nigeria youth to work hard and shun any form of crime.

He also warned against quick wealth which according to him has led to an increase in social vices such as internet fraud, drug abuse and the neglect of education and hard work.

Also speaking at the event, HOD Department of Creative Arts Education, Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka Lagos, Kolade Ayeyemi stressed the need for more synergy between the society and institutions that offer art adding, that such effort would create more jobs for the youth in the country.

A videographer, photographer and painter, Benjamin Oladapo who spoke at the exhibition, commended the institution for organising the event and added that it would go a long way in encouraging the students to develop more interest in the course of their study.

Some of the students who spoke during the event commended the institution for organising the exhibition, they added that it exposed them to what it takes to be a successful artist in the country.