Tanzanian creatives speak: Making money

Balcony Series
March 18, 2022

Tanzanian creatives speak: Making money

Saturdays are my thorough cleanliness days around the house, my laundry or any other task I couldn’t do during the week. These backbreaking sessions are usually followed by a long peaceful rest, watching a movie or reading a good book. But on this particular Saturday I had to forgo all of that, all because I heard about MONEY, smelt money or to be precise I wanted to know how creatives make money through their craft. I found myself in a Creative meet-up panel discussion, with panelists, Nias nyalada, Evon Vance, Dickson Saurere famously known as Mega the Fixer, Claudian Benet and Christopher Shayo. The session was organised by Dar Shapers and Smart Lab as part of Niboreshe Project run by Dar Shapers.

And now let’s get to the juicy party on how one can make a living as a creative in Tanzania.

1. Master your craft

Nias Nyalada emphasised that artists should spend more time to master their craft by experimenting with different mediums and styles. Focus should be more on the process than end results. He attested to his own journey of exploration as a painter who started drawing with graphite pencil until now when he has found love in acrylic paint. And while you are in the process continuously share your art with an audience whether through your socials or family and friends. This is how you build interest and a community around what you do. Sharing opportunities with you, constructive feedback on your art are among things you can benefit from the community. This will better equip you to make the products your customers want and you will get money to make the arts you really need.

2. Be of a community

We artist are known for being extroverted when we are around people but once that is done we return back to our introverted selves, behind closed doors, Mega the fixer said. Just go outside and meet people! Not that there is something inherently bad about introversion. However there are benefits of joining different creative societies such as Tanzania Graphic designers (TGC) or attending creative meet-up events. You build network with fellow artists with whom you can collaborate with and most importantly you get informed about different opportunities available. And information is knowing where the money is. Wapi mchongo ulipoo?

3. Communication is key

Christopher believes communication is of high value to an artist. It’s important for an artist to know how to communicate well with potential clients both orally and in written language as you may sometimes be required to pitch your ideas or prepare a proposal for your client. How to clearly communicate your ideas to a customer; how to express progress of the work you have been assigned, requesting for extension of deadlines or even how deliver bad news. These skills seem basic but they separate great artist, who keep on being referred to other clients and projects, from good ones who may not be able to realise their full potential. And you want to be amongst the former, that where the money is.

4. Think global

The Bongo Flava scene currently is uber vibrant but it took a lot of collective effort from musicians and other stakeholders to get here. Now Bongo Flava is no longer considered as the music of hooligans. Claudian is not going to wait for that time to come, for the rest of the creative industry he moves now with the rest of the world and he urges you to do the same. Through creative platforms like Behance, Dribble you can showcase your work and have people buy or commission you. Alternatively, graphic designers and photographers can create and sell stock picture or graphics for shutter stock, Evanto Market and Canva. You might as well have to jump on that NFT train, who knows how much money you could make years from now ? Dare to join the global movement and bring home that money.

5. Build your credibility

The challenge of being a self taught artist, is that sometimes you lack the credibility that comes with a formal education, exposure and the connection cultivated through that. Evon explained as she highlighted how some International artists who have studied in prestigious Art schools, have went on to work for big companies such as google, making millions through their art. However there is hope for self taught artist. You can up skill yourself in different free platforms such as Coursera, Udemy that gives you are certification that can increase your credibility. You have to be the longest pencil constantly sharpening yourself. Mastering your skills will enable you to work with different clients and build a portfolio as you go. It’s through that you can build your credibility as professional artist who can deliver quality work. Credibility will open safe doors for you and that’s where the money is stored .

These five things aren’t exhaustive of what you as an artist can do to increase your chances of earning through your craft. Nevertheless, they form the very foundation of what could be a your money making machine. If you ask us, what we reckon Is the future of the Tanzania’s creative industry? We have only one answer “The future is bright, mwanga ni mkali, kama tunachomelea’’ In the words of our panellist Mega the Fixer.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE PANELISTS

Nias nyalada

Instagram : @nias_nyalada

Twitter : @nias_nyalada

Evon Evance

Instagram : @___evon

Twitter : @evon_evance

Linkedin: Evon Evance

Facebook: Evon Evance

Dickson Saurere “Mega the Fixer”

Instagram : @megathefixer

Claudian Benet