Describe the main features of the measure/initiative:
Started in June 2019, the centre was established to train young artists with the help of Art Piece Africa Ltd, learn to use granite stones in producing artworks for economic empowerment not only as a new high quality color and durable material for outdoor/indoor sculpture installations, but also as a material worth preserving cultural expressions for eternity.
Art Piece Africa Ltd is a company already engaging a few art professionals using granite stone materials in producing variety of art/craft products for both local and international market, which has expressed willingness to collaborate in training the artists under this community project.
The objectives of this initiative are;
1)Training the up-coming artists on how to produce granite stone and art and craft products
2)Provide power tools to artists at the centre to use in producing artworks for economic empowerment.
3)In collaboration with Art Piece Africa Ltd, help provide marketing structures for art products done by artist in this centre.
4)Organize art and cultural events in the centre to promote and inspire high artistic creativity in cultural expressions
5)Provide artists with working spaces in a form of art studios in the centre as well as exhibition display spaces for local art marketing and other basic facilities including art library and cyber cafe for academic references and marketing communications for artists.
6)KNVAA's Entono Granite stone art/craft training program in Kisii County is the first of its kind in the country and is likely to spread to all counties across the country where Granite stone rocks are found. These include; Western Kenya, Eastern Kenya, Nyanza and Central Kenya regions.
What are the results achieved so far through the implementation of the measure/initiative?:
KNVAA Kisii branch in partnership with the local community has already secured 8 acres of land for the project at ENTONO area of Wanjare constituency for the establishment of this granite stone carving centre, which will be run by the local community.
Three established local polytechnics namely: Enkeri polytechnic, Kirwanda Polytechnic and Etange polytechnic, have expressed interest to collaborate with Art Piece Africa Ltd in initiating the granite stone art and crafts training course within their respective institutions to help fastrack the training program.