The art and creative industry in Kenya is readying for a spectacle as primary school pupils between Grades 1 to 4 get are set to participate in the 2024 Live Free Art Competition. Jubilee Insurance has launched a competition meant to develop young talents by offering them substantial scholarships to advance their education.
Success of last year primaries
The 2024 Live Free Art Competition is expected to attract 15,000 entries from young artists in 47 counties. This is a paltry rise from last year’s competition that received more than 10,000 participants from 300 schools in 19 counties. The increase speaks much about the fast-rising interest and talent in the creative arts among young students in Kenya.
Scholarships and Prizes
As a matter of fact, the competition has a major incentive for participants whereby the top ten winners will receive full high school scholarships worth Sh3 million. It is not only about discovering and rewarding artistic talent but also about taking some burden off the families’ backs, giving these children a chance to pursue their education without trudging too much. To this effect, it has an impact on the economy through the creative sector.
The creative economy is an important segment in the general economic landscape of Kenya. According to the 2023 Economic Survey, the sector contributes approximately 5 percent to national GDP and about 25 percent of the total wage employment. Art, design, media, and entertainment are increasingly being taken seriously as important sectors in sustainable development and cultural enrichment.
Statement from Jubilee Life Insurance CEO
According to Jubilee Life Insurance CEO Mr. Asman Mugambi, investing in the creative sector can spur prospective growth in development and economy. “We are in the fourth year since we rolled out this competition. It has been a heartening experience to discover incredible talent and creativity among our children. We will remain championing this initiative as we rally all pupils, parents, teachers, and all other education stakeholders in support and encouragement of the budding artists,” Mugambi said.
The Competition’s Details
The participants at the Live Free Art Competition will be required to prepare their original works of art, which might include painting, drawing, collage, or mixed media. They are encouraged to use an enormous variety of materials that are at their disposal, either watercolor, colored pencil, crayon, charcoal, ink, or other locally available means for creating the works of art. This allows students to express themselves artistically using mediums one is most comfortable with or easily has access to.
Launch Event
The 2024 Live Free Art Competition was launched in Kisumu County, attended by notable figures, among them the Ministry of Education Regional Education Director for Nyanza, Lawrence Karuntimi, and Jubilee Life Insurance CEO Asman Mugambi. The event put forth the collaborative effort on the part of the education regulating authorities and the private sector players toward promoting and supporting the arts.