Kisumu County will spend over Sh20 million in setting up an arts centre as it moves to sharpen talents for tourism returns from local culture.
The county has pumped a budget of Sh17 million in the construction of music auditorium and arts gallery and workshop at Kanyakwar within the lakeside city.
A further over Sh4 million will be spent in the furnishing and equipping the two facilities within the current financial year ending June, according to the government. Construction is underway.
A private investor has also expressed interest in starting music classes at the new auditorium to preserve and foster local talent.
This is as the tourism and culture directorates in the county have announced partnership to kick off the mapping and documentation of cultural sites and products.
County director of culture, Kenneth Otieno, said in an interview Thursday that they were “committed to promoting cultural tourism in the region through nurturing and tapping the vast local potential.”
He said the region boasted of talent that is only spotted once the artistes migrate to Nairobi for greener pastures. Such potential, he said, would attract the county revenue from tourists and income for the artistes if utilized locally.
“The region is riding on culture and arts to market itself as a tourism destination, we are therefore keen on tapping every available talent, facility and practice to that end,” said the director.
He said the two facilities, once complete, will be given to the youth “at a small fee or for free as will be agreed by the government.”
He said lack of proper organisation and market was to blame for the poor performance by arts in the region, but affirmed that plans by government to subsidise initiatives would alleviate such challenges.