Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Mr. Avinash Teeluck, handed over 18 Contract Agreements, this afternoon, to beneficiaries of projects which will obtain financial assistance from the National Arts Fund (NAF) during a ceremony held in Port-Louis.
In a statement, Minister Teeluck highlighted that the NAF contributes to the funding of creative arts projects, schemes and events to empower artists and arts organisations in the different fields of arts and culture.
Its aim, he said, is to support and accompany a wide range of artistic activities/ projects/ programmes from both emerging and established artists, with a financial assistance of up to Rs 800, 000.
He pointed out that a budget of Rs 10 million has been disbursed for the 18 projects, and informed that since 2018 up to now, some 84 projects have received funding amounting to some Rs 40 million.
According to the Minister, this shows the talents of local artists and their willingness to undertake creative projects. On that note, he underscored the commitment of Government to support local artists and the creative sector in projects with national significance.
Mr. Avinash Teeluck also expressed satisfaction as regards the contribution of the NAF in enabling the Mauritian population to have a better exposure and appreciate the works of local artists.
The fund, he recalled, aspires to create a conducive environment with a view to giving a boost to the local creative industry. The NAF currently offers various grants including: the Emerging Talent Grant; the Production Grant; the Capacity Building Grant; the Research Grant and the Digital Creative Art Grant.
