The National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), Zimbabwe’s premier arts awards, have announced several changes that will take effect in the upcoming 23rd edition.
Some awards within the NAMA categories have been either added or renamed.
Announcing the changes at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Executive Director, Mr. Napoleon Nyanhi, stated that these adjustments were based on feedback received from the arts sector.
“In 2022, the NACZ embarked on a drive to gather feedback from the sector on the effectiveness of NAMA. This initiative began with the Board of Directors undertaking a nationwide consultative mission, dubbed ‘State of the Arts Sector in Zimbabwe,’ during which they visited each of the 10 provinces to gather opinions and recommendations for the arts sector in general,” said Mr. Nyanhi.
“This process culminated in two stakeholder meetings held in Bulawayo and Harare, specifically aimed at interrogating the NAMA categories and awarding processes. A great deal of valuable feedback was obtained, and today we present the changes that have been made to the awards as a result of these consultations.”
He also revealed that NACZ is currently working on a revamped website, set to go live on September 1, 2024, which will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their mandate.
The new site will include features designed to provide more benefits to the sector.
For the upcoming 23rd edition of NAMA, consideration will be given to works of art produced between December 1, 2023, and November 30, 2024.
Jacaranda Culture Media Corporation, which has served as the event manager for the awards ceremony over the past six years, will be concluding its tenure with this edition of NAMA23.
Below is the full list of awards for the next edition of NAMA. Where changes have been made, they are indicated in brackets, with a brief explanation provided below the category:
- Visual Arts Awards
Outstanding Male Visual Artist (New)
Outstanding Female Visual Artist (New)
Outstanding Upcoming Visual Artist (New)
Outstanding Exhibition
Three new awards have been added to the Visual Arts Category to accommodate the diversity in this genre. It was also considered critical to honor the upcoming and motivate them.
2. Theatre Awards
Outstanding Actress
Outstanding Actor
Outstanding Theatrical Production
Outstanding Director
Outstanding Playwright (New)
The role played by the play write in theatrical productions is considered crucial for the success of the play. There are some plays were heavy credit is deserving to the playwriting prowess.
3. Literary Arts Awards
Outstanding First Published Work
Outstanding Fiction Book
Outstanding Non-Fiction Book (New)
Outstanding Children’s Book
All writing is considered creative but there was need to distinguish between fiction and non fiction books and First published work was also crucial to motivate immerging writers.
4. Film & Television Awards
Outstanding Actor
Outstanding Actress
Outstanding Music Video
Outstanding Screen Production (Television)
Outstanding Screen Production (Full length film)
Outstanding Screen Production (Short Film)
5. Dance Awards
Outstanding Dance Group/Production (Renamed)
Outstanding Female Dancer
Outstanding Male Dancer
Outstanding Choreographer
A Dance production may not be an existing group but an ensemble that was put together for a specified piece of work. The outstanding efforts also deserve to be recognized and honored when they deserve.
6. Spoken Word Awards
Outstanding Stand Up Comedian (Renamed)
Outstanding Poet
Outstanding Social Media Skits
There was a need to specify on Stand Up comedy, which is a distinct type of art that falls under spoken word.
7. Music Awards
Outstanding Female Musician
Outstanding Male Musician
Outstanding Upcoming Musician (Renamed)
Outstanding Music Group (New)
Outstanding Song
Outstanding Album
Outstanding Upcoming is the new name for Newcomer as it considers various other qualities outside popularity of a new project. Music Group award was also added as this was a missing element in the category.
8. Special Awards
Outstanding Artist in the Diaspora
Outstanding Arts Journalist/Media house (New)
Arts Service Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Promoter of the Year
Arts Personality Award
People’s Choice Award
Media awards are now under special awards. This award was perceived to be more of an honorary accolade rather than competitive because of the distinction in the nature of creativity.
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