TARO is dedicated to improving Tanzania's art scene. To meet its 2023 commitments, the organization has engaged in various activities as described below: -
THE BI-ANNUAL ROUNDTABLE MEETINGS WITH STRATEGIC STAKEHOLDERS
The Roundtable Meeting with Strategic Stakeholders was a significant event organized to create a safe and open environment for individuals and groups involved in the arts and cultural sector. The primary objective of the meeting was to provide a platform for stakeholders to express their concerns about the management of the sector and suggest ways to improve it. Additionally, the meeting aimed to raise awareness among the participants about various legal and technical issues relevant to the sector. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for various stakeholders identified as potential change-makers in the past to engage with each other and share their ideas for enhancing the sector. Participants of all genders and art fields were selected and engaged inclusively, including film, fine arts, handcrafts, music, theater, live performance, modeling, NGOs, arts associations, and arts federations. We hold two annual meetings focusing on Freedom of artistic expression, economic rights on works of art, cultural rights, and gender issues affecting the sector.
MEETINGS WITH LEGISLATORS TO AMEND THE NATIONAL ARTS ACT. NO. 23 OF 1984
The activity was strategic in submitting sectoral concerns to policymakers at the level of art authorities. Two meetings were held annually. We successfully brought together art stakeholders and authorities to address ongoing issues. Artists and other stakeholders enjoyed the opportunity to have direct conversations and replies from government officials responsible for decision-making in the sector. The meeting served as an early attempt to advocate for changes. The meetings strongly prioritized amending the National Arts Act No. 23 of 1984 to include gender inclusivity in decision-making bodies for the sector's administration, to recognize the concept of artistic freedom as both universal and contextual, to repeal all provisions that do not comply with human rights standards such as a criminalizing an act of engaging in artistic activities without being registered and censorship on certain artistic expressions. The weight of this activity was based on recommendations from bi-annual roundtable meetings with strategic stakeholders.
MEETING WITH PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES TO DISCUSS THE AMENDMENT OF NATIONAL ARTS ACT, NO.23 OF 1984
Adv.Joshua Msambila(TARO), Member of Parliament (MP), Hon.Dr. Angelina Malembeka, Deputy Minister of Arts, Sport and Culture (MP,Hon. Hamis Mwinjuma, Deputy Minister of State(Youth and People with Disabilities)MP. Hon. Patrobas Katambi, Mr.Nassor and Mr.Lembusili Gwalugano(TARO). At Parliamentary premises in Dodoma during the activity
It was an activity that involved a deliberate consideration of engaging with the parliamentary committees and convening meetings with their members aimed at bolstering the legal framework within the art and cultural sector. The argument stretched back to gender-inclusive and artistic freedom to improve the National Arts Act, No. 23 of 1984. The specific committees involved were the governance, constitutional, and legal affairs committee, and the arts, sports, culture, and development committee. It was a preliminary process to lobby and advocate for artistic freedom and gender inclusivity to be recognized under parliamentary legislation for governing the arts and cultural sector. Fortunately, the committee responded positively, supportive, and productive towards the initiative. The stage paves the way forward for the enactment of legislations that recognize and protect artists' human rights.
STRATEGIC MEETING WITH ART FEMINISTS AND TANGANYIKA LAW SOCIETY (TLS)
Efforts were made to improve gender inclusivity in decision-making bodies in the arts and cultural sector by utilizing technical contributions from art feminists and lawyers (TLS) to amend the legal text. TLS is a bar association of lawyers established by parliamentary legislation. The discussions looked at the composition of various decision-making bodies in the sector, and how gender inclusivity is manifested in the legal text which established the aforementioned bodies. The activity had two meetings annually, whereas the legality of the enjoyment of cultural rights for female artists was a matter of concern. Professional practicing lawyers, academicians, artists, individuals from prominent feminist organizations, and experts in the field of gender had the opportunity to contribute their opinions, views, and expatriates. The activity aimed to improve gender representation and participation in decision-making bodies within the sector, and effective women's participation in artistic works (benefit from arts). The main purpose is to create recommendations for improving existing laws that govern the arts and cultural sector in Tanzania.
DRAFTING OF LEGAL POSITION PAPER TO ANALYZE THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF TANZANIA'S ARTS SCENE
The organization with the aid of expertise lawyers invested its resources. It came up with three pieces of legal position papers focusing on areas such as the Dilemma of Artistic freedom in Tanzania, The burden of legal compliance in the Arts and cultural sector, and the issues of gender inclusivity within the Arts and cultural sector. All the documents aimed to examine the practices related to the current provisions of the legislation. The purpose of this activity is to identify and analyze legal challenges facing the arts sector and to explore potential solutions. The discussion highlighted various pieces of legislation that undermine artistic freedom as defined under the report of the 9th World Summit on Arts and Culture, 2023(Stockholm, Sweden), UN report (A/HRC/23/34, 2013) and 2005 Convention Global Report (Reshaping Cultural Policies) Advancing Creativity for Development. 2018.
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