Guiding Economic Value in Innovation
Forging forward to build the innovative industry, is what a team of imaginative individuals are aiming at when talking Namibia’s first ever, Creative Industry Guide. The Guide is aimed at providing a map of Namibian innovation and innovators.
Artists are being asked to submit their details, free of charge, to be part of this project that seeks to quantify as well as position Namibian creativity. “The Creative Industry Guide is a publication and online platform that aims to explore the industry and socio-economic insights of the creative industries, categorised by the creative sector including listings of practising professionals, businesses, institutions, organisations, and 
associations.” Explains Tanya Turipamwe Stroh, Owner of Turipamwe Design and part of the partnership in developing this project.
“Joe Vision Production, headed by Joel Haikali and Sophie Mukenga Kabango have long too been interested in connection of the creative sectors and quantifying the role that intellectual property plays in our Namibian economy. It made sense to forge our talents, expertise and resources. The Creative Industry Guide is a partner project between Joe Vision Production and Turipamwe Design in collaboration with the Directorate of Arts.”
Explaining the partnership and concept behind this project, Tanya says “The Creative Industry Guide is a sort of multiple discovery. Joe Vision Production, headed by Joel Haikali and Sophie Mukenga Kabango have long too been interested in connection of the creative sectors and quantifying the role that intellectual property plays in our Namibian economy. It made sense to forge our talents, expertise and resources. The Creative Industry Guide is a partner project between Joe Vision Production and Turipamwe Design in collaboration with the Directorate of Arts.”
Tanya, who was the Economist Young Namibian Business Woman of the Year in 2015, notes that “Personally and professionally I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of trying to measure the value of the creative and artistic industries. In being able to measure impact. After presenting the idea at TEDx 2015 I was encouraged to pursue a way of making it a reality.”
“Everyone, including the creative sector has a role to play in developing and shaping our economy and nation. We believe that the creative sectors and intellectual property also offers the most sustainable form of youth empowerment and employment. It is difficult to prove or argue for the impact and importance of the creative sector because it often remains very loose, organic, and unstructured.”
“Everyone, including the creative sector has a role to play in developing and shaping our economy and nation. We believe that the creative sectors and intellectual property also offers the most sustainable form of youth empowerment and employment. It is difficult to prove or argue for the impact and importance of the creative sector because it often remains very loose, organic, and unstructured.” Notes Tanya, which is what the Guide is hoping to rectify through profiling and providing a platform for all things innovative. “The Creative Industry Guide is an attempt at quantifying, connecting, and mapping the creative sectors that exist in Namibia and determine its economic value.”
A project of passion for all things artistic and inventive, the team bringing this guide to life are hoping to do so for the benefit of all Namibian creatives, “This projects is a testament to industry individuals coming together to draw on the strength of their resources. By sharing, attending, investing, connecting, and creating meaningful work that has impact. Individuals, companies and organisations can support the project by submitting their details to be included in the publication.”
When talking how this guide will benefit the Namibian creative industry, Tanya notes that it will, “provide industry insights written by industry professionals” with their current list of contributors including FabLab, The National Art Gallery of Namibia, UNAM Press, Black Tree Productions, Joe Vision Production, Turipamwe Design and others. In addition to insights, the guide with act as “a platform for the creative sectors, connecting creative professionals with their respective sectors and vice versa” as well as “connecting creative professionals with potential clients and vice versa.”
With a planned launch date of August this year, the time is now to submit your creative details to be included in this guide. Tanya explains that “Submitting details is completely free of charge and can be done via an online link. Click here for the link
For more information visit Creative Industry Guide through Facebook by clicking here.
This project will be a first in providing a platform and qualifying the value of our creative industry, and therefore all Namibian creatives are being called on to join this project through submitting details.
Paid for advertising options are also available, for further information contact CreativeIGNam@gmail.com
Written by Kirsty Watermeyer