Seminar highlights ingredients for rebranding Nigeria’s creative industry

Last week, British Council Nigeria organised an interactive section on career pathways in festival and production management at National Theatre, Lagos. The seminar was encompassed in the Creative Hustle Series organised by the British Council Nigeria, aimed at revamping the creative industry. The section was organised in collaboration with First Bank Plc, Producer, Lagos Theatre Festival, Brenda Uphopho, and Producer, National Theatre, Wales, David Evans; it enlightened members of the creative industry on the career pathways available to them, the challenges involved, ways to rise above them and how to source funding.

According to Uphopho, no one works in isolation in the industry, as fellow artists help to fan each other’s passions and keep their momentum alive despite difficult times.

Uphopho also indicated the requirements needed for success in the industry, saying, “One of the ways you can create opportunity and succeed in the industry is through internship. Degree and internship gives you learning skills not just the knowledge. In having knowledge and skill in theatre it is possible for one to transcend and explore different career pathways within the industry. Reputation is also very important as a good reputation builds you”.

She advised the audience to see knowledge as first motivation not money.

Backing Uphopho on the requirements for success was Evans who stated, “Internship is the root of building one’s integrity in the industry. One cannot just come along and get employed in the theatre without being well known for ones’ reliability and skills. Internship both exposes and builds one in the field”.

Moreso, a representative from First Bank Plc, Mr. Maxwell Ezenwa, informed the audience on ways to seek funding from financial institutions. He advised individuals interested in starting up businesses in the theatre to seek help from the bank but with a clear proposal outlining the scope of their business. He notified the audience on the startup programme the bank has, which is to create awareness on the bank’s interest in encouraging startup businesses. He, however, said the bank would only help individuals with a clear business plan and expertise to make the business a success.

Product Manager, Arts and Creative, British Council Nigeria, Jennifer Onochia, restated the aim of seminar, noting, “The Creative Hustle series is targeted at enlightening people on work opportunities in the creative industry. Our work involves helping to develop the art and creative sector in Nigeria. We do this through strengthening collaborations between the United Kingdom and Nigeria and skill development within the sector. We also aim at promoting the audience of the established creative artists, organise workshops and seminars to help groom the upcoming ones”.