Policy Brief; Enhancing Arts Training and Education in Tanzania

Culture and arts education, as defined by UNESCO, involves the 

teaching and learning processes that enhance the development of 

cultural knowledge, creativity, and artistic skills. It plays a crucial role 

in promoting social cohesion, identity, and sustainable development. 

In Tanzania, arts and culture education remains an essential tool for 

preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage while promoting 

creativity, innovation, and economic growth in the creative industries. 

This policy brief, serves as the second phase of the Sanaa Rights 

Project, initiated by Culture and Development East Africa (CDEA) and 

funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dar es Salaam. It builds on 

the findings of a comprehensive mapping study conducted by CDEA in 

2023, which assessed the current status of artists and cultural 

practitioners in Tanzania in areas such as Education and training, Access 

to financing, Social needs and labor conditions.

The brief addresses the gaps identified in the study, particularly in 

education and training opportunities for artists and cultural 

practitioners. It outlines strategies to enhance both formal and informal 

educational pathways and to ensure that Tanzanian artists and cultural 

practitioners are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to 

thrive in the local and global markets.