IFACCA:The International Federation of Art Councils and Culture Agencies !

Vision and Objectives: The International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) is the global network of arts councils and ministries of culture.

Vision: IFACCA aims to benefit artists, arts organisations and communities worldwide.
Our vision is a dynamic network, sharing knowledge and creating understanding to enrich a world of artistic and cultural diversity.

Current African Membership includes :Botswana,Central Africcan Republic,Gambia,Kenya,Malawi,Mozanbique,Namibia,Niger,Nigeria,Senegal,South Africa,Tasnzania,Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Ayakoroma moves to the next level !

When praying at the closing ceremony of the National Festival of Arts and Culture(NAFEST), Minna, Niger State 2009, Barclays Ayakoroma thanked God for the fact that NAFEST had moved to another level. As it happens, God was busy that moment preparing him(Barclays) for moving to another level. And so, Barclays Ayakoroma (Phd) is the new Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation(NICO).

We let you know earlier of the dynamism of this young icon of the Cultural Sector in our posting on the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture, which he was in charge of then. Well, he did not leave that dynamism out of his approach to the new job.

Just go over to the NICO site and see for yourself. That is only a sign of the many great things this cultural administrator is intending to do at NICO, of which we shall be informing you as they unfold.

Enter Fluid Piano

I am a lover of music. I play the guitar and the clarinet and I sing too.

I am extremely excited at this moment about the uunveiling of the fluid pianio, a re-invented version of that glorious instrument that will be capable of playing music from various cultures.

Whether or not you arae a musician, you simply need to read more.....

NAFEST takes off in grand style.

The Nationaal Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST has finally taken off in grand style in Minna, capital of Niger State.That happened on the 13th of this month.

It was marked by the hosting Governor- known here as The Chief Servant- being visibly commited to the success of the venture.

The venue is branded all over with the greatest visibility being in the arena for traditional wrestling.A good number of cars specially branded for the festival are made available for officials and there are many other branded items besides.

State input into the opening ceremony was also visible. There was a calisthenic performance before the traditional states' parade and the day was rounded off with fireworks.

Competitive events at the festival include *dance/music presentation *special exhibition/live presentation * traditional wreestling etc while the non-competitive events include ayo and herbal medicine

NAFEST postponed ?

Well. nobody is passing it as official information as yet.

Going by the texts passing between various heads of state art councils and their friends.however, it would seem that this year's NAFEST will no more start on October 3rd as previously announced but on the 10th day of that month !

Venue remains the same.

Confirmed:Art surfers first !

For most of my colleagues in the Nigerian Cultural Sector and the Art World in general an eternal concern is the fact that government not only does not do enough for our field but always finds it the first recourse when budget has to be cut.

America and Europe get cited as examples of what it should be.

You can then imagine what our feelings must be when we hear this kind of news from Agency Press that even for America, less state expense is touching arts first..........

Visit Bayelsa Council for Arts and Culture online !

Whatever might have been the faults of Diepriye Alamieseigha, his credits as a culture loving and culture-supporting Governor can never be denied or wished away. He it was that gave that establishment a young, dynamic and field-active Chief Executive in the person of Barclays Ayakoroma. The result has been an Art Council that is not only active on ground, but one of the very few that have any internet presence, making it a leader in the community of State Art Councils inspite of belonging to one of the youngest states. I have the honour of inviting you to visit Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture online.