The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture is revising the National Arts Fund Act to support artists and creative programmes.

Minister Sanet Steenkamp said this in response to questions posed by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Rosa Mbinge, who raised concerns about Namibia's creative industry, funding, recognition, and policies affecting artists and musicians, and their contributions to national development.

"I wish to state that the ministry is in the final process of revising the National Arts Fund Act of 2005, which provides direct financial support to the artists, to festivals, to cultural organisations and community-based initiatives across the country, as well as building capacity through its bursary programme," said Dr. Steenkamp.

She further explained that "the government continues to support national creative platforms, including the revitalisation of the Namibia Annual Music Awards, which are expected to take place later this year. This initiative is backed by a national investment of up to N$10 million. We are currently assessing whether to reduce that amount, and we are looking into that."

Additionally, the ministry will collaborate with other government institutions to explore better social protection for the creative industry.

"The Ministry has approached and will work with relevant institutions such as the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations and the Social Security Commission to explore social protection models appropriate for freelance creative professionals, including portable benefits approaches."