Harare — Relevant national arts bodies and the corporate world should not just focus on promoting mainstream artists at the expense of those in remote areas, an art practitioner has said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Mbende Jerusarema Festival recently held in Murehwa, Lloyd Maibheka, who runs an art school -- the Almega School of Design and Arts based in the area -- said lack of funds was hampering development at the centre.

"We need assistance in maintaining the centre and fund our projects. It is a pity that our projects exist only on paper because there is no funding to implement them.

"Our students need support and they need to undertake researches on new designs in order to cater for the local people's needs," he said.

He added: "As a centre we need to undertake some programmes that will keep the students occupied while at the same time utilising the centre itself," said Maibheka.

Almega School of Design and Arts specialises in designing cultural attire. The school also trains fine art and hopes to include sculpture if they get the necessary support.

Douglas Vambe who is responsible for training cultural dances in Mashonaland East province reiterated that inadequate funding was the major challenge in the development of arts projects.

"I received funds from Culture Fund for training youths in the province but it is now difficult for me to move around the province since I have no reliable transport. "I rely on public transport and the problem comes when we want to carry our heavy drums and students to the intended venues.

"We also don't have reliable communication since some schools and teachers have no phones. "If I have to stay here at the centre it means other youths from around the province will not benefit from the initiative and I will be labelled a failure.

"We are therefore appealing to stakeholders to come and help us promote our culture," said Vambe.

He also said if fully supported, Murehwa Arts Centre, would emulate other areas in promoting cultural programmes.

"The centre could be a reference point in terms of cultural preservation but it requires support from the community and other stakeholders," said Vambe.

Students from various schools in the province use Murehwa Arts Centre as a venue for training and undertaking various youth programmes such as traditional dances and drama. The place has become the venue for the Mbende Traditional Dance Festival, which is held annually.