National Arts Council of Botswana

23/09/2026

The United Nations in Botswana is commemorating Botswana’s 60 years of independence. We can take inspiration from the values that have defined the country's success: long-term planning, responsible leadership, and a commitment to leaving a better future for the next generation.

22/09/2026

𝐍𝐀𝐂𝐁 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐄𝐃𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐏 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆

Our CEO, Mr. Gaokgakala D. Lemmenyane and his Executive Team, met with the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency Caretaker CEO, Mr. Khalala A. Mokefane and his Executive Team on Monday 21st September 2026 to discuss financing for the creative and cultural sector.

Discussions focused on identifying synergies between the mandates of both Government Agencies and mapping areas of collaboration that can support the growth and commercialisation of Botswana’s creative and cultural industries. Particular attention was given to developing business and developmental financing models that respond to the unique needs of the creative sector, including emerging considerations around Intellectual Property and future earnings from performances and royalties as potential forms of collateral or security for accessing funding.

The engagement provided valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges within the sector, while reinforcing the potential of Botswana’s creative industries to create employment, generate economic value and build long-term investments that benefit artists and creative practitioners.

NACB remains committed to building strategic partnerships that unlock opportunities for growth and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable creative economy in Botswana.

22/09/2026

𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐔 𝐊𝐎𝐒𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐘𝐀 | 𝐓𝐒𝐎𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐎 𝐍𝐆𝐖𝐀𝐎 𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐄𝐓 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒

Meet Esther Thitaku Koshunya, the creative force behind Tsosoloso Ngwao Basket Weavers, a Maun based basket weaving initiative preserving Botswana’s traditional craft while creating opportunities for women to develop their skills.

Through support from the Arts and Culture Grant 2024/25 cycle, Esther has trained 83 women in basket weaving, helping pass on traditional knowledge while empowering women through creative enterprise.

21/09/2026

Maun, you brought the talent.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Bodiragatsi Jwame 4.0 activation and took the opportunity to register, participate and showcase your talent.

Register now for your chance to win a share of P1 million in prizes. Entries close on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

Ts and Cs apply.

18/09/2026

FLAME & CANVAS: CELEBRATING BOTSWANA’S NEXT GENERATION OF ARTISTS

Last night, the Council had the pleasure of attending the Nando's Art Initiative Awards.
From 110 submissions to the top three, Botswana’s creative talent took centre stage at the Nando’s Art Initiative Awards. Kaene Abel Palanani claimed first place, winning P30,000, a two-week mentorship and residency with Thapong Visual Arts Centre & Spier Arts Trust and an opportunity to have his artwork displayed in selected Nando’s restaurants.
Totang Motoloki and Lesedi Segobye claimed position 2 and 3 winning P20,000 and P10,000 cash prices respectively. The spotlight also shone on young creatives through the Nando’s Creative Futures Art Competition, themed “A Canvas Under the Stars.” Innocent Macheng took first place, with Tlhaloso Odirile and Tseo Molefe following in second and third. More than art. More than a competition. It’s an initiative igniting Botswana’s creative future.

18/09/2026

A few days to the closing date, have you applied yet?

Got a creative business worth pitching?

Applications are open for the CANEX Creative Pitch Competition 2026. 🎤

Selected entrepreneurs will pitch to investors, financiers and industry experts at CANEX WKND in Lagos this November. The top three pitches will receive prize money.

Based in an African Union or CARICOM country? Your creative business could be part of it.

You can apply in English, French, Arabic, Swahili or Portuguese.

📆 Applications close on 25 September.

Ready to put your business forward?
Apply via the link in our bio.

18/09/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

Remember to visit https://www.goethe.de/prj/aep/en/index.html?wt_sc=aepc to apply for the current open call.

17/09/2026

New Mall is the place to be this Saturday, 19th September 2026!
Join the Bodiragatsi Jwame, Lentswe Lame 4.0 Activation from 10:00hrs to 16:00hrs to get assistance with registering for the competition, to showcase your talent and express yourself.

15/09/2026

Your talent deserves to be seen, Maun.

This weekend, Saturday 19 September 2026, bring your creativity, passion and talent to the Bodiragatsi Jwame 4.0 activation happening in Maun.

Whether you are a performer, creative or digital creator, we will be available to help you submit your entry for a chance to win your share of P1 million.

Maun, this is your moment.

15/09/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 – 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩

The Council together with Goethe-Institut hosted Proposal Writing Workshops hosted by Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture: Southern Africa (AEPC Southern Africa) in Maun and Gaborone. The workshops intended to equip organisations, and individual creative and artistic practitioners with essential skills in navigating funding landscapes and identifying funding opportunities and grant writing.

The workshops continue online to support artists and creative practitioners interested in applying for the Grants for Creative and Artistic Practitioners currently available.
Date: Friday, 18 September 2026
Time: 13:00 – 14:00 (CAT)
Place: Zoom (Online)
To register use the attached link:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=VbctA1T2H0OylpOhyHrXXdEEwhQlMThBmF7uXPhzmYJUOFFMR09HNTE3MkxZVzNPREVKSE1MMkdLMS4u&route=shorturl

For more information about the call visit www.goethe.de/aepc
Application deadline for Creative and Artistic Practitioners: 5 October 2026