1ST NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART STAKEHOLDERS FORUM HELD ON 28TH JUNE 2007 AT EKO HOTELS & SUITES, VICTORIA ISLAND LAGOS

COMMUNIQUE

The Forum is the first of its kind and has succeeded in bringing together Stakeholders in art - Art collectors, Art lovers, Art practitioners and seasoned Visual artists, with the aim of brainstorming to fashion the way forward for the Visual art sub-sector in Nigeria. At the end of the deliberation, the following resolutions were reached.

• Empowering the National Gallery of Art through adequate funding will help sustainable development of the art sub-sector.
• Partnering with non art groups/associations, donors and international institutions to stimulate exchange of knowledge, skills and expertise.
• Creating a competitive environment for the growth of art by way of  organising periodic art exhibitions
• Reducing inherent partnership risks can be achieved through effective communication, accountability and adherence to the terms of relationship between artists and their benefactors/sponsors.
• Developing capabilities and resources via provision of scholarships, bursaries and training for artists and art students.
• Connecting globally with key cultural institutions and related agencies to promote cultural exchanges.
• Collaborating with banks in the areas of equipment leasing, sponsorship, credit facilities etc.
• Making art appreciation a part of our culture from an early age and incorporating art as an important part of school curricula.
• Professionalism in the visual arts should be emphasized and encouraged.
• Recognizing the fact that visual works of art is an integral part of the Intellectual Property Rights laws in Nigeria.
•  There is a need for synergy between Law enforcement agencies and intellectual property right owners.
• Cooperatives and self-help groups are means of easier access to resources necessary for the success of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.
• Visual art development in Nigeria can be best achieved by the training of art teachers.
• There is need for increased funding and adequate equipping of art departments in higher institutions in Nigeria.
• Research institutes should work in collaboration with the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), The National Gallery of Art (NGA) and departments of Fine and Applied Arts at the tertiary level for the advancement of the aesthetic value of artworks.
• There is a need for more partnership with State Governments in the development and promotion of the visual arts.
• Artists should take up the gauntlet in the fight to bring art to the front burners of national discourse and resist being relegated to the background.