GIVING support and encouraging Namibian artists to excel in their craft is her biggest human asset as the administrator of the Namibia Arts Council (NAC).

She is none other than former journalist, M'kariku Amagulu, a young dynamic woman who not only embraces the arts, but life in general! She is a shining example of how women can make a difference in the art industry.

In a one-on-one interview, I picked her mind by asking her some direct questions and the answers speak for themselves.

Q: How long have you had the position of administrator for the National Arts Council?

MA: Since 2006

Q: What does your work entail?

MA: Giving support to the arts.Providing grounds for artists to carry out their activities and or further their education as well as providing mechanisms to help support the local arts sector. We have a funding cycle once a year where people apply for grants. From this year we will also facilitate funding for artists wishing to further their education at tertiary level in their various disciplines. We have also sponsored groups the past two years to travel over seas to perform. For such art excursions artists do not need to apply for grants through the normal funding cycle of the National Arts Council.

Q: What studies did you undergo to be able to be in this position?

MA: Actually my studies had nothing to do with my decision to venture into my field of work.But, it does help me a lot in my work.I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Economics and I studied journalism.

In a way my education is interlinked with my work - when you talk about sociology, you talk about society and my economic studies help me when I work with grants. My experience also counts for a lot and the journalism comes in handy when I need to write articles for the Namibia Arts Council. I also do PR work and draft most of the written stuff we need.

Q: What is a typical workday in your life?

MA: Artists constantly walk into my office and ask questions, something taking most of my day, explaining to them what we do and assist them with filling in forms. But, it varies from day to day. I also have to pay out grants quoted for, I act as secretary, be a receptionist, the list goes on and on.

Q: What traits do you have to possess to be able to make it in the arts business?

MA: Firstly, people skills are the most important because artists tend to be very temperamental. One needs to be able to deal with that in a diplomatic way. Secondly, one has to have a full understanding of the arts sector; the different genres, the audiences and you need to keep yourself updated with what is happening in the field.

Q: How about your family life?

MA: Well, I am a single bird that can do whatever I like. I love reading, I love good movies and spending time with my friends and their children, my parents and my sisters.

Q: What is your vision for the future of Namibian arts?

MA: Organisation within the art industry. I envisage a progressive artists union standing for the rights of artists.I see policies aimed at bettering the situation of the arts. Without organisation, the situation in the arts front will always seem scattered. Artists and groups need to support each other. This is the overall aim and the arts council is supposed to be the driving force.

Q: A hindering factor for me is that there are never enough funds available for the arts in Namibia; so making a living from your craft is out of the question, what are your views on this?

MA: I will advise artists to further their education, not only in their disciplines, but to acquire managerial and entrepreneurial skills.It does not help to have talent and not know how to market or get it out there! At the moment there is a continental drive developing this industry. The US and Europe among others, are importing our arts, we need to open up those avenues. I always encourage people to be practical - following these guidelines should lead to success.

Q: What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

MA: They should be passionate and above all realise that going into the arts is not easy. They should know that it takes a lot of sweat and patience before anything is realised in the arts. Very few people make it in this industry. I urge people to think hard about what it is that they want to achieve and to be realistic.They should understand everything that encompasses the artistic discipline that they have chosen.They should try and further their studiesand always be creative and hard working. Most of all they should know that the arts is not child's play, people tend to think that it is cool to be an artist or be associated with the arts and in so doing they forget that it's hard to go back to your life if you do not make it in the industry.

Q: Who is your mentor - who do you look up to?

MA: Well, you meet so many people with different strengths and qualities, which you look at and use as guidance.I admire people for different qualities and therefore I cannot single out any one person.My mother is the person that believes in me the most.From my father I drew my love for education and my sisters and friends each have their own unique qualities from which I tap inspiration.